Alex’s VDC role and bridging pre-con to ops

In this episode of The ConTech Crew, host Jeff Sample sits down with industry experts Ross Helleberg and Alex Belkofer from McCarthy Building Company. They discuss how their teams are pushing the boundaries of scheduling, planning, and virtual design and construction (VDC). They also explore the integration of advanced scheduling methodologies like Takt and Last Planner, the value of visual planning, and how these practices contribute to smoother project delivery and stronger collaboration between the office and the field.

Ross Helleberg has been with McCarthy Building Company for 14 years, starting his career in the field and moving into a leadership role in scheduling. Alex Belkofer is McCarthy's Senior Director of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), where he plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between the pre-construction and operations phases.

Key Takeaways

• The integration of advanced scheduling methods to improve efficiency on large-scale projects.
• How McCarthy uses 4D scheduling to visualize project progress and integrate planning and construction teams.
• The concept of Visual Planning and how it enhances communication on projects.
• The evolution of digital delivery in construction and how McCarthy is leading the charge with tools like 4D planning.
• The power of building strong relationships within the team and with leadership to ensure project success.

Timestamps

[01:46] - Ross’s background and role at McCarthy

[04:36] - Alex introduces his role in VDC

[05:54] - Why schedulers need to be on-site

[10:08] - Integrating Takt and Last Planner systems

[11:58] - Visual planning and 4D scheduling

[16:04] - Success story of first visual planning project

[24:20] - Leadership support and planning time

[30:11] - Evolving with digital tools and virtual planning

[34:21] - Spreading innovation beyond McCarthy

[40:02] - Final thoughts on planning and scheduling evolution

Follow Alex Belkofer:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexbelkofer/

Follow Ross Helleberg:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-helleberg-433a6a7b/

Follow McCarthy Building Companies:

• Website: https://www.mccarthy.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mccarthy-building-companies-inc/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccarthybuild/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mccarthybuilding/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@mccarthybuilding?si=8F6XN14s4uOCxvA6

Follow the Host:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ironmanofit/

Follow The ConTech Crew:

• Website: https://thecontechcrew.com/ 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBDRThvRmSpyTZmMWY4EAjg 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-contechcrew/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConTechCrew/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecontechcrew/?hl=en 
• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thecontechcrew 
• Twitter: https://x.com/TheConTechCrew