Work Execution Planning Leads To Project Success

three construction workers looking at an iPad

February 9, 2021

At Interstates, we know that how well you execute work correlates directly to how well the project turns out. Intensive planning that happens upstream ensures effective, efficient, and safe work at the crew level. Our in-depth scheduling and planning methods make all the difference – crews can stay productive and protected while meeting our clients’ needs. Instead of “making do” with typical or ineffective processes, we choose to drive productivity at the crew level with collaboration, open communication and proven visual planning methodologies.

How can work execution planning methods add value for clients and keep crews safe? Take a closer look at our planning processes to see how we streamline processes for the best outcomes.

Preconstruction Planning Tools

We work smarter by using our proprietary planning tools effectively. These tools help us create specific and reviewable plans before any work on the project has started. This allows us to share and set up the right expectations on the front end of a project, which is crucial for success.

Our tools help our clients in a variety of ways. Whether it’s tracking equipment, making it easier to find safety forms, or having an easily viewable schedule – we utilize software, apps, and proprietary tools to add value for our clients.

Our systems help clients by:

  • Tactically planning work execution and developing short-interval schedules
  • Tracking labor, quantities, metrics, and material purchasing
  • Managing assets, equipment, and tags
  • Organizing and delivering project documentation
  • Maintaining and communicating project schedules

Whiteboard Planning

Our whiteboarding system is a project optimizer. This visual planning method uses a whiteboard housed in an onsite trailer to give management and field leaders a detailed view of the overall schedule and project milestones. Whiteboard planning involves all trades and coordinates the activities for the entire project.

Crews meet for daily end-of-shift meetings to review the schedule, talk about accomplishments, plan for the next day, and discuss safety concerns or hazards. Weekly collaboration meetings are used to schedule the following week’s work, review significant milestones, and verify that upcoming work aligns with the priorities of the master schedule. Whiteboard planning makes it easy for each view – be it external engineers, contractors, vendors, or even owners – to understand their tasks and the project timeline.

What is the Benefit For Clients?

These processes exist to add value for the client and keep our crews safe and productive. Our clients win when we can understand their needs and plan jobs early and thoroughly.

Here are a few of the major benefits of our work execution processes:

  • Safety is kept a top priority.
  • Craft personnel are shielded from conflicts by having a plan that is shareable and reviewable.
  • Our clients know how long tasks will take.
  • Transparent communication fosters efficiency and trust.
  • Early collaboration makes whiteboard planning effective.
  • Changes in scope are reduced or eliminated.
  • Budgets are met, as well-coordinated workflow drastically reduces rework.

When we focus on work execution planning, clients see aligned expectations, schedule predictability, quality and a high safety level. Interstates believes that crews that go to work with a clear plan in place can have a safe, productive day, and the ultimate result is a successful project outcome.

For more information about how we plan and execute work at Interstates, call us at 712-722-1662 or email us.