In the Lean Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Community, we have all heard of Plan-Do-Check-Act. We understand that it is the cycle to create continuous improvement, one of the foundational pillars of Lean and IPD. Yet why is it so difficult to implement improvement? We often neglect to implement the “Act” […]
Taking Advantage of IPD Lessons Learned to Improve Future Outcomes READ MORE
You have made it to the Request for Proposal (RFP). Congratulations! How can you and your team stand out from the crowd and demonstrate that your firm is the right choice when it comes to collaborative delivery? In this article, I am going to share 5 tips on how to
5 Tips to be Successful in an IPD RFP READ MORE
Whether you are new to Lean IPD, are a seasoned practitioner who is regularly onboarding new members to large project teams, or simply want a refresher course to stay up-to-date with the lean principles, the new course Introduction to IPD is for you! After the success of IPD – An
New Course: Introduction to IPD READ MORE
There is a conversation in the industry about the role of executive leadership in lean transformation. What is your opinion on this? If you ask ten people, you get probably ten different answers. What I found is that many of these opinions are spot on, however, they lead to different
Lean Transformation: Is Your Leadership Team All In? READ MORE
Throughout my career, there have been many things that have happened in a somewhat serendipitous fashion. Things have happened without being planned for and without intention yet contributed in significant ways to the lean momentum. In this post, I want to share a few things we did in a construction
The Importance of Coaching in Lean Transformation READ MORE
The construction industry is notoriously slow to change and productivity continues to decline. We see this firsthand, we read about it in trade publications and we talk about it at industry conferences. Embracing lean is one of the ways organizations choose to address this, but all too often they run
Lean Transformation: Are you Talking about Apples or Oranges? READ MORE
This is part 3 of my series Trust in Construction. If you have not yet read parts 1 and 2, I recommend starting with Do You Trust Your Lean Team Members and Going Down the Rabbit Hole first. After unearthing the root causes of a trust breakdown, it is time
Strategies to Build Trust in Construction READ MORE
In part 1 of this series, Do You Trust Your Lean Team Members, I discussed internal vs external trust. Once both sides are established and organizations understand their interconnectedness, teams need to go down that rabbit hole to differentiate symptoms of ‘shared pain’ from root causes. A helpful tool is
Trust in Construction Part 2: Going Down the Rabbit Hole READ MORE
This 3-part series based on my ebook Breaking Down the Breakdown: Trust in Construction explores the importance of trust in the building industry, analyzes the root causes of trust breakdown and offers strategies to build trust in construction teams. We all know that trust is an integral part of any
Do you Trust Your Lean Team Members? READ MORE
It was surprisingly chilly on Monday morning as Sam Brooks, Project Superintendent for ProCon Builders, pulled into the parking lot. His dashboard’s thermostat told him it was fifty-two degrees outside, and he took a long swig of black coffee from his Thermos as he surveyed his vacant jobsite through the
Are You Leveraging the Power of Your Construction Team? READ MORE
There is deep recognition in the construction industry that driving higher productivity is key to lowering project costs. While there are external forces at play, such as increasing project complexities, regulations, scope changes, labor shortages, and more, many inefficiencies and cost overages stem from internal productivity issues and resistance to
Overcoming Resistance to Change READ MORE
In my previous posts, I wrote about the Construction Leaders Dashboard to help newly promoted team leaders become clear about their vision and the EAR Framework to lay the leadership foundations. In this post, I focus on Kick-Ass Meetings (KAM), a straightforward, three-step process that will help Lean team leaders
Kick-Ass Meetings: The Secret to Epic Problem-Solving READ MORE
In my previous post How to Excel as a Leader of a Construction Team, I wrote about the importance of having a compelling vision and the Construction Leaders Dashboard, a valuable tool for newly promoted team leaders. This article will look into the EAR Framework as a valuable tool for
Discover the Ultimate Communication Tool for Lean Executives READ MORE
Have you just been promoted into a leadership role in the construction industry? Wondering how to excel in your new role? You are most probably sitting in your office thinking about what you are going to do in the next three to five years to really nail this next chapter
How to Excel as a Leader of a Construction Team READ MORE
We have all seen Big Rooms. Some are dynamic and exciting. There is open discussion and healthy conflict. By contrast, others are Big Room in space only. People from companies congregate together, instead of cross-functionally. Information is hidden from fear of consequences and lost reputation. Interaction is formal and trust
Going BIG in the Big Room READ MORE