Elevate Construction

What happens when a builder refuses to settle for “business as usual”? Michael Chavez, Project Manager at Sky Blue Builders, shares how Super PM bootcamp reshaped the way he leads, plans, and runs projects. From energizing meetings to building people first, Michael reveals the simple habits that keep momentum alive long after training ends. If you want practical tactics and real inspiration for leading in construction, this episode will fire you up. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

In this episode, Jason uncovers why Japan’s lean revolution succeeded while the U.S. drifted away from the very principles it created. The answer lies in humility, respect for people, and the power of working as one united team. Inside this episode: The forgotten U.S. production miracle of WWII and how Japan carried it forward. Why humility after the war fueled Japan’s lean culture while America lost it. How total participation transforms project sites from worker huddles to safety culture to trade partner alignment. Why foreman meetings, visual systems, and zero-tolerance for chaos aren’t optional, they’re the foundation of flow. The hard truth: Lean will never take root in construction until everyone participates. If you’re tired of trades working in silos, projects bogged down by excuses, and the industry lagging behind manufacturing, this episode is your wake-up call. 👉 Hit play and discover how to build a jobsite culture where every crew, every trade, and every leader moves together because without total participation, there is no lean. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

This episode wraps up our Last Planner series and sets the stage for a brand-new Last Planner Implementation Guide with real-world visuals and field-proven steps. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why the classic “should–can–will–did” ladder fails and how to rebuild it with macro-level Takt so your plans are both realistic and reliable. How to structure work by zones, not dates, to shorten throughput time without fantasy durations. Why shielding and screening at the weekly level is already too late and what to do months earlier instead. The power of First Run Studies (done 3–6 weeks out) to guarantee crews only start what they can finish on time. How to use workable backlog as swing capacity for the train of trades keeping flow intact and crews productive. A clear line in the sand: why CPM can’t be your master schedule and what to use instead. This isn’t just theory, it’s the foundation for a field-ready manual that teams can actually follow. If you’re serious about reliable promises, real flow, and project delivery that works, this episode is your blueprint. 👉 Hit play and close out the Last Planner series strong.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

If you’ve ever struggled with making construction schedules truly reliable, this episode is a must-listen. Jason continues his series on the Last Planner System with a deep dive into the 2020 Benchmark, breaking down what’s working, what’s missing, and where the industry needs to head next. From field engineering as the backbone of quality and safety, to the real meaning of reliable promises, Jason unpacks how detailed task breakdowns, constraint removal, and full-kit readiness set the stage for project success. He also shares insights on: Why lookahead planning is more than just a meeting, it’s a commitment to roadblock-free work. How Percent Plan Complete (PPC) can mislead you, and the better metric you should be tracking. Why integration with Takt planning and flow-based work packaging is essential for the next generation of Last Planner. The Benchmark’s push for target value delivery, adaptability, and continuous learning. This isn’t theory, it’s practical, battle-tested insight designed for builders who want to lead with clarity, reliability, and flow. If you’re ready to level up your planning game and see how Last Planner ties directly to Takt and real project delivery, hit play now.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

In this episode, Jason took a hard look at the Last Planner System, what works, what doesn’t, and why it desperately needs a reset. From daily huddles that prioritize foremen over craftworkers, to the misuse of “constraints” vs. real roadblocks, to static boards that kill flow, we pull no punches in critiquing where our industry is stuck. You’ll hear why: Morning huddles waste critical craft time (and what to do instead). Roadblocks must replace “constraints” in our language and practice. Visual boards should drive problem-solving, not just display commitments. Why percent plan complete (PPC) isn’t enough, we need new KPIs. Pull planning should always use one sticky per day and avoid batching. Lean systems should evolve, not stagnate. If we want Last Planner 2.0 (or 3.0) to actually deliver, we’ve got to stop repeating bad habits and start building trust, flow, and clarity on our projects. 🔥 This episode is part critique, part blueprint and if you care about improving how we plan and build, you won’t want to miss it.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

What’s the one thing that can make or break every project? Trust. In this episode, Jason sits down with the man, the myth, the legend Mark Story to dive deep into the real foundation of successful construction teams: creating an environment where people feel safe to share, collaborate, and grow. We talk about why trade partners often arrive with skepticism, how past project trauma carries into new jobs, and what leaders can do to set the mood on site. From debriefs that actually build confidence, to enabling teams to own their plans (instead of being micromanaged), Mark shows us how to replace fear with accountability rooted in trust. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop finger-pointing, unlock true collaboration, and transform a jobsite into a learning system where every trade wins, this conversation is for you. Listen in and challenge yourself: What are you doing right now to build trust with your team and trade partners? If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Hal Macomber, an expert in construction flow and project execution, shares insights on the crucial role of Project Executives. He argues that PXs are not just managers but environment builders who enhance team dynamics and culture. Macomber emphasizes the importance of transparency and a supportive atmosphere in fostering collaboration. He discusses the shift towards a learning culture, the significance of emotional regulation, and innovative methodologies like Kaizen. Tune in to discover how leadership impacts project success in flow-based environments!

In this episode, Jason dives deep into the Last Planner System not just to explain it, but to start building a clear, modern, and practical manual that actually works in today’s construction environment. Too many of the resources we rely on are the same ones published 10, 20, even 25 years ago. They haven’t kept up with the realities of flow, trade collaboration, and the integration of Takt planning. It’s time to change that. Here’s what we cover: Why the Last Planner must be paired with Takt (not CPM) if you want accurate milestones and real trade flow. The core meetings, deliverables, and behaviors that make the system succeed. How to move beyond outdated “weekly work plans from scratch” and filter commitments from a real production plan. Critical corrections we must make from how we track Percent Plan Complete, to when daily huddles should actually happen. If you’re serious about implementing Last Planner the right way with respect for people, reliable commitments, and flow that works, this episode is for you.   If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

Construction is messy, stressful, and full of high-stakes moments but what if the best leaders aren’t the ones who yell the loudest, but the ones who stay calmest when the pressure is highest? In this episode, I sit down with Chris Giaimo to talk about the art of calm under pressure. From growing up in the trades alongside his dad to building a reputation as the superintendent crews want to work for, Chris shares how preparation, organization, and respect, not intimidation, create trust and results on the jobsite. We tackle the myth that you have to be “tough” or abrasive to earn respect in construction, and Chris explains why kindness, consistency, and gratitude are more powerful tools than a raised voice. Along the way, we dig into practical routines, leadership lessons, and the mindset that turns stressful jobs into steady progress. If you’ve ever struggled with stress, conflict, or the old-school belief that being a jerk is the only way to lead, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw

What does it take to go from pushing brooms to leading as a superintendent in just a few years? In this episode, we sit down with Steven Shannon of Sky Blue Builders, alongside Kate Schroeder, to unpack the habits, systems, and mindset shifts that transformed his career and his life. Steven opens up about his path in construction, the power of mentorship, and how lessons from our Super PM Boot Camp changed the way he works and leads. From implementing self-care routines to mastering pull planning and meeting cadences, he shares how small changes created big results. But this conversation doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. Steven gets real about mistakes that cost time and money and how his company’s culture of learning over punishment helped him grow stronger. Together, we explore why failure normalization matters, how to get teams to truly buy into new systems, and why rhythm not overexertion is the secret to sustainable success in construction. This is an honest, practical, and inspiring episode for anyone who wants to build better, lead better, and live better. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you’ll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I’d appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two 😊).   Also, here are links to our YouTube Channels: · Jason Schroeder YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4xpRYvrW5Op5Ckxs4vDGDg · LeanTakt YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/leanTakt · LeanSuper YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzQDevqQP19L4LePuqma3Fg/featured · LeanSurvey YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Ztn3okFhyB_3p5nmMKnsw