Jason discusses war maps, the visual command stations and strategic planning areas superintendents need to lead effectively. Napoleon studied maps on the ground for days, planning options for Plan B, C, D. General Patton had war maps in his trailer. Leaders are only as effective as what they can see. Jason's dream: mobile mini command station with war maps, craned around the job site to stay with flow of work. The dilemma of command: stay at headquarters with communication or go to front line? Do both. Most superintendents get addicted to firefighting and playing savior, responding to trades, fighting fires, releasing dopamine in chaos. Instead, get addicted to planning: reviewing schedules, Takt plans, financials, roadblock removal systems, quality tracking. Your brain releases chemicals (otherwise restricted to licensed pharmacies) when you do things it rewards. Reprogram to get dopamine from strategizing, not reacting. War maps include: team health, roadblock removal, safety metrics, exposures, job cost, procurement, RFIs, buyout, quality observations, change orders, BIM status, and schedules. Intentionally design your war areas—never by accident. At minimum, walls should show: schedule/Takt plan, financial status, quality process, safety metrics, inspections, deliveries, roadblock removal. Great PMs read the owner's mind. Great supers see the future.
What you'll learn in this episode:
War maps: Visual command stations and strategic planning areas leaders need to see the future
Napoleon's strategy: Days studying maps on ground, planning options for Plan B, C, D to adapt quickly
Jason's dream: Mobile mini command station with war maps, craned around job site to stay with flow
Dilemma of command: Headquarters vs. front line? Do both, stay connected but be present
Most supers addicted to firefighting: Responding to trades, playing savior, getting dopamine from chaos
Reprogram your brain: Get dopamine from strategizing (planning, reviewing financials, removing roadblocks)
Your brain releases pharmacy-restricted chemicals when rewarded, train it to reward planning, not reacting
War maps examples: Team health, roadblock removal, safety metrics, exposures, job cost, procurement, RFIs, buyout, quality tracking
Visual areas: Inspection board, deliveries board, family wall, horizontal planning table, rolling 6-week boards
Conference room essentials: Takt plan, logistics, roadblock removal, plexiglass plan views
Intentionally design visual areas, never by accident or happenstance
Minimum wall visuals: Schedule/Takt, financials, quality, safety metrics, inspections, deliveries, roadblocks
Hensel Phelps "Book of 14": 14 key things audited and checked for project success
Get addicted to: Morning worker huddles where everyone knows the plan without you
Great PMs read the owner's mind. Great supers see the future.
Challenge: Find key maps/visuals/logs you need to strategize and see the future
Get addicted to strategizing, not firefighting. On we go.
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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
