Elevate Construction

In this podcast we cover: The right format for weekly work plans. How to approach using them. Advice for your lean journey. Curious how weekly work plans really work on a live job? In this episode I sit down with Jared Davis to unpack takt planning, pull planning, and making look aheads actually useful. We answer the trade lane question: separate them or show them together. You will learn why the weekly work plan is a pre-kit and how to run five minute trade meetings that surface real roadblocks. We talk tools that help visibility and how to make your plan a real time production instrument. If you want less firefighting and more flow, this episode will give you practical moves you can use tomorrow. Tune in and get your team playing the same sheet music. 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 podcast we cover: What pull means. How we can approach real lean construction. Advice on your lean journey. Are we holding construction back by clinging to the wrong systems? In this blog, I dig into three game-changing truths about our industry: why project managers have overtaken builders, why hiding schedules from trade partners destroys trust, and why CPM is a nightmare we must leave behind. I share why the future belongs to builders, why collaboration matters more than control, and why Takt offers the real path forward. If you want to cut through the noise, escape the trap of administration, and finally lead projects with clarity and confidence, this blog 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

In this podcast we cover: Why orders must be written and verbal. How changes to the plan should be handled. Why Supers keep the plan in their heads. What the consequences are. Too many superintendents are sabotaging their own projects without even realizing it. In this blog, I share a hard truth: verbal instructions alone destroy schedules, disconnect teams, and neutralize the systems that keep projects on track. I break down why superintendents who fail to lead visually are a liability, how ego and significance get in the way, and what it really takes to protect the flow of work. If you want your projects to thrive, you must embrace written and visual communication as the standard. This is a must-read for every construction leader who wants to build trust, clarity, and consistency on the jobsite. 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 podcast we cover: Why you should never ask trades to send you their WWP. What you should expect from the meeting system. Are your construction meetings driving results or just wasting time? In this blog, I uncover one of the most damaging habits in Last Planner implementation: asking trade partners to submit separate weekly work plans. This practice undermines flow, wastes valuable time, and confuses the team. I share how the right approach—anchored in pull planning, tact, and clear meeting outcomes—creates alignment, trust, and reliability across the project. From pull plans to percent plan complete, you’ll learn what each meeting should deliver and why flow is the non-negotiable core of success. If you want meetings that truly elevate your projects, this is the clarity you need. 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 podcast we cover: Why it is cool that these things are hard. Why you should make your best players famous. Why being bigger means you may be more abusive. In this episode, I share three powerful lessons every construction leader needs to hear. First, why making your winners famous creates a culture where excellence spreads instead of negativity. Second, how privilege and power, whether in daily life or in large construction companies, can easily slip into abuse if not managed with responsibility. And third, why the very things people say are “hard” in lean construction are the things that actually drive growth, clarity, and success. This episode is a call to leaders at every level—reward the right people, respect the responsibility that comes with influence, and stop chasing easy. Real progress only happens when we lean into what’s hard and do what’s meaningful. 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 podcast we cover: Why CPM Is a failed system. How pedaling it is like being a member of a drug cartel. In this episode, I confront a hard truth about our industry: too many leaders still advocate for systems that harm people, especially CPM scheduling. I share why this approach is not just outdated but actively destructive, leading to unsafe practices, wasted resources, burnout, and broken trust. I connect how flawed systems, not flawed people, are the real root of our industry’s struggles, and why blaming workers misses the point. I draw bold comparisons to show just how harmful these methods can be, and I challenge leaders to stop normalizing practices that exploit rather than empower. If you are ready to rethink what you stand for in construction, this conversation will push you to take a stand. 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 podcast we cover: Expanded explanations of the rules of flow. In this episode, I unpack Eliyahu Goldratt’s rules of flow and show how they apply directly to construction. I break down why avoiding bad multitasking protects capacity, why full kit readiness prevents delays, and why triaging priorities keeps projects on track. I share stories from the field that highlight the importance of synchronization and explain how standardization, root cause analysis, and global optimization create lasting improvements. These rules are simple, practical, and transformative when applied consistently. If you are ready to bring clarity and control to your projects, this episode will give you the roadmap. 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 podcast we cover: What are the 8 Wastes of Starting Lean? How can you use them to begin your Lean journey? In this episode, I share what I call the eight ways of starting lean. While the traditional eight wastes are still critical, these barriers often stop teams before they ever begin the journey. From ignorance and procrastination to unchecked egos and blaming others, we explore what really holds construction back and how leaders can overcome 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  

In this podcast we cover: Why each effort needs a kit first. How that opens the gate to your beginning. In this episode, I dive into the idea of kitting, inspired by Efrat Goldratt’s The Rules of Flow, and explore how it can transform the way we approach construction. I share how a simple experience with my kids in Minecraft made me realize the power of preparation and how that same principle applies to project teams, planning meetings, and field work. We look at why incomplete kits cause delays, wasted effort, and frustration, and why discipline in preparation is the gateway to flow. Whether you are a superintendent, project manager, or trade partner, this episode offers practical insights on how to unlock productivity, eliminate waste, and create smoother systems by ensuring the kit is complete before you begin. 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 podcast we cover: Things people say about being tough in construction. Why we need to be more accepting. In this episode, I sit down with Brandon Montero in Guadalajara, Mexico to have an honest conversation about the culture of toughness in construction. Brandon shares a powerful story about someone being told to “grow thicker skin or get out” after showing emotion in a meeting and we dive deep into why that mindset is broken. Together we explore the dangerous sayings that have been normalized on job sites like “real men don’t cry” or “suck it up,” and we talk about how these toxic ideas tear people down instead of building them up. We also reflect on what true leadership looks like: creating environments where people are protected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. Brandon highlights the role of vulnerability as real strength, and I share how looking back on my career, it was the one tool I needed most. From A Few Good Men to real-life construction stories, this episode is about redefining what toughness means and challenging leaders to replace outdated bravado with empathy, inclusion, and authenticity. 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