Elevate Construction

In this podcast we cover:

• How to use different Takt Times.
• Why we do not use the weekends as the indicator.

In this episode, I respond to a thoughtful question about Takt planning and whether moving away from a five-day rhythm is like driving the same speed everywhere.

I explain why Takt planning is about flexibility, not rigidity, and how adjusting to shorter Takt times creates better flow. I also share how multiple trains can run at different speeds within the same phase, why weekends should not dictate project rhythm, and how the real power of Takt lies in the visibility it provides. If you're serious about mastering Takt and bringing flow to your projects, this episode will help you see the bigger picture.

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 the time cost problem is.
• The way to plan.
• Concerns with CPM.

In this episode, I share why constraining time is the key to becoming truly lean. I explore how placing healthy limits on our schedules creates pressure that drives innovation instead of burnout. I talk about the importance of respecting people, planning projects with just enough time, and then using lean tools to pull milestones forward. I explain how covering problems with longer hours only hides waste, while constraining time forces us to improve processes, eliminate inefficiencies, and embrace smarter ways of working.

I also share real examples from construction, where prefabrication, takt planning, and technology have proven that smarter planning beats longer hours. Whether in projects or personal life, this mindset shift is what separates good performance from true lean excellence.

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:

• The reaction that owners had to contractors to try and get a fair deal.
• The current method that they're using to try and hold contractors accountable.
• What they actually should be doing.

In this episode, I share why owners' attempts to control contractors through contracts, CPM, and penalties are misguided and damaging. Instead of fostering accountability, these methods create fear and chaos. I explain why leadership, respect, and collaborative production systems are the real path forward for owners who want reliable outcomes and healthy teams.

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:

• How constraining your time will literally force you to be lean.
• Why necessity is the mother of invention.

In this episode, I share why you will never truly be lean until you constrain your time. Too often in construction, we rely on extra hours as a safety net, but that only hides waste and prevents innovation. By setting clear boundaries, we force ourselves to prioritize, delegate, standardize, and prepare more effectively. I talk about the dangers of the "48-hour mark," the balance between respect for people and continuous improvement, and why companies that embrace constraints gain a competitive advantage. If you want to shift from simply working harder to working smarter, this message 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:

• How to look at the eight wastes.
• Why downtime with workers or workers being idle is not the focus that we should have.

In this episode, I explore why downtime is not the enemy in construction. Too often, leaders focus on keeping every worker busy instead of maintaining flow, which leads to waste, overproduction, and inefficiency. I share examples from manufacturing and construction that prove pauses, buffers, and even idle moments often create more long-term value. This episode challenges the myth that busyness equals productivity and offers a new way to look at success on your projects.

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 the difference is between a bureaucratic administrative process and standard habits with quality of the source.

In this episode, I explore the critical difference between standard habits and bureaucracy in construction. Too often, leaders add layers of paperwork, forms, and audits that only create more waste. I share why installation work packages and pre-construction meetings are examples of necessary habits, not extra administration, and how embedding these practices into the natural flow of work leads to better quality at the source.

This episode is a reminder that improvement comes from discipline and respect for people, not from piling on more rules.

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 the definition of an expert is.
• Why understanding the impact and caring about people from a fundamental level are requirements for expertise.

In this episode of the Elevate Construction Podcast, I dive into what it really means to be an expert. Drawing from conversations with my team and lessons from the book Rules of Flow, I share why following processes, gaining experience through repetition, and most importantly, valuing people are the true foundations of expertise. I also unpack why decision-makers who don't understand their impact on workers and foremen cannot be considered experts. This episode challenges the traditional view of expertise and redefines it through respect for people, experience, and responsibility.

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 placing bottlenecks in the system might not be a bad thing.
• Why auto-regulating bottlenecks in a system can align work in progress.
• How to intentionally use them.

In this episode of the Elevate Construction Podcast, I dive into why bottlenecks aren't always the problem we think they are. I share insights from my time at LCI Congress and lessons from Takt planning that reveal how well-placed gates can regulate work in progress, prevent unfinished tasks, and protect team flow. I also unpack why slowing down at the right moments can actually make projects run faster and smoother. This conversation challenges the traditional view of bottlenecks, showing how they can become powerful tools for sustaining productivity. If you're tired of wasted effort, chaos, and firefighting on your projects, 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

In this podcast we cover:

• What is the difference between intentional and accidental failing.
• What does it mean to intentionally fail.
• Why is it okay to accidentally fail.

In this episode, I dive into the difference between accidental and intentional failure, a concept that has transformed the way I think about mistakes in construction and leadership. I share why it is absolutely okay to fail accidentally, as long as you are giving your best effort, following the process, and learning along the way. At the same time, I explore how intentional failure, such as ignoring proven systems, refusing to ask for help, or repeating the same mistakes, damages trust and culture. You will hear practical insights from my own experiences and company practices, including how we normalize failure during meetings and use it as a tool for growth. If you want to understand how to embrace the right kind of mistakes while avoiding the wrong ones, this episode will give you the clarity and perspective 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:

• How you can really start to solve problems on your project.
• How that works backwards from skill to skill.
• Why these fundamental habits are important for you to ultimately become proficient at preventing problems.

This episode dives deep into the phases of IDS and reveals the exact path to solving and ultimately preventing problems on your project. If you have ever felt stuck with constant roadblocks, stop-and-go flow, or trades waiting around for answers, this conversation is for you.

I break down the critical skills superintendents must master in reverse order, from simply caring enough to solve problems all the way up to preventing them before they even appear. You'll see how weekly work plans, look ahead planning, and visual problem tracking can transform the way your team operates.

No gimmicks, no shortcuts, no watered-down versions of proven systems. This is the straight truth about what it takes to create flow and save huge amounts of time and money.

If you're tired of reinventing the wheel and ready to build projects that run smoother, this is the episode you don't want to miss.

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