In our industry, we clearly understand that Lean is about respect, flow, continuous improvement, and the elimination of waste, but the concept of total participation is key to the process as well. Respect, flow, and improvement do not happen unless the entire team is participating together.
Total Participation Through Visual Systems
In our inaugural video series, Art of the Builder, host Jason Schroeder explains how you can use visual systems to get closer to total participation on your project. The process goes like this:
- Collaboratively create a project plan with the trade partners—for the project, to the next milestone, for the next 6 weeks, for next week, and for tomorrow.
- Create visual communication systems that help show what the plan is.
- Engage everyone onsite so they can better understand the plan.
- The vision for this is that everyone can SEE as a group, KNOW as a group, and ACT as a group.
Let’s plan it first; build it right; and finish as we go. Until next time.
ABOUT ART OF THE BUILDER:
“Art of the Builder” is an educational video series presented and hosted by Jason Schroeder of Elevate Construction, in partnership with The Lean Builder. The periodic series provides quick, actionable ideas to improve a construction build in the field. Based on principles of Lean Construction and Takt Planning, the series offers tips, examples, scenarios, and tools to help construction superintendents and foremen succeed.
RESOURCE LINKS FOR THIS VIDEO:
- theleanbuilder.com | Our main blog, book, resources, news & events website
- elevateconstructionist.com | A coaching, consulting & training firm
- linkedin.com/company/the-lean-builder | Our LinkedIn community
- techsmith.com | Snagit screen capture software
Jason Schroeder, Elevate Construction
Jason Schroeder is a former Field Operations and Project Director. He has worked as a construction leader for 23 years through positions that range from field engineer to project superintendent, general superintendent, and field operations director. He is the Owner and Lead Trainer at Elevate Construction, a company focused on elevating construction throughout the world by providing insights, solutions, and training. His mission is to create respect in the field, through trained leaders, which ultimately preserves and protects families in construction. He is the creator of the Field Engineer Boot Camp and Superintendent Boot Camp, which are immersive courses that train field leadership. He hosts the Elevate Construction Podcast, a blog through elevateconstructionist.com, and trains, consults, and coaches throughout the world.
