September 2018 - Volume 6 Issue II :

A Proven Method to Avoid Killer Jobs:

Everyone has heard of a “Killer Job”, which is the one that can single-handedly wipe out an entire company’s profit in one fell swoop. They are born to companies who have large variation in job profitability, with no systematic understanding of what causes the ups and downs, and no visibility to where a job will finish until it is beyond 80% complete. These systems breed “Killer Jobs” because the system itself is unpredictable, and then an exciting large project is won and the invisible, unpredictable system wreaks havoc.

MCA has had the honor to be involved with several mega-projects (shown in Figure 1), using the Agile Construction® principles and tools to avoid them turning into Killer Jobs. Below is a list of guidelines:

A large job is simply multiple small projects put together. Break it down into smaller projects by area, or level, or type of work, and then break that down even further – use Work Breakdown Structure.

Make plans for organizational structure, reporting structure, information flow, and other elements.

Use data. Large jobs are a matter of managing a large number of numbers. It is humanly impossible to manage with traditional, “seat-of-the-pants” techniques. JPAC® and SIS® (explained more below) have proven very effective and necessary to knowing where large jobs stand at any given time.

Conduct project audits, every 25% complete of the project (or more frequently). The project team plus outsiders need to review the project status, data about the project, and collective knowledge of the project, to reduce risk for the next 25%. (see page 23 of Book 4; Efficiency and Continuous Improvement: Survival of the Unfits) 

Figure 

Be aware of the issues that require unique, or additional management, such as: 

1. Resources
2. Schedules 
3. Purchases 
4. Billing and cash flow 
5. Productivity 
6. Subcontractors 
7. General contractors 
8. Turnover 
9. Personnel issues 
10. Cost 
11. Lack of visibility at the task level 
12. Coordination with other trades 
13. Material price escalations 
14. Jobsite logistics, including tool and material movement 

There are very few tools in this industry that can help you manage your large job. JPAC® measures the productivity on your job and aids in risk management. There is typically more risk present for large jobs. It has been proven to be much more beneficial to update daily the percent complete. This allows for the Project Managers to pinpoint areas where they need to respond to problems that occurred during the day. Using SIS® to manage the tasks allows the Project managers to determine the largest obstacles that happen on the large job. Project managers can determine common repeatable issues that needed to be addressed. MCA’s own research (http://mca.net/resources/state-of-industry-report/) indicates that absenteeism is one of the top three reasons for not completing work according to the schedule.

With all of the risks taken into account, it is critical to plan and predict. Use the tools available to your advantage. Set up a JPAC® and SIS® account as your first step to reducing the risk and increasing the success on your job.

Please visit a longer and more detailed version of this article at: http://www.ecmweb.com/business-management/mastering-electrical-work-mega-project

CEO Forum:

We have created this CEO Forum to understand how these changes and the pace of the changes can be managed.

On Friday, November 30th, 2018 MCA Inc. held their second annual CEO Forum at the Crowne Plaza in Northbrook Illinois. It was well attended by leaders across the country in varies fields ranging from medical, inovative software to distribution and electrical contracting. Dr. Firouz Daneshgari of Bowtie Medical discussed Disruption in the Health Care industry, while Marty Rozmanith of Dessault touched on Product Configuration. Other topics for discussion included Megacenters, Diversity and Scaleability, Data and Crowd Sourcing, and Gemba.

This elite group of CEO’s meet in person twice a year, and collaborate through a user forum across the net. Their mission is to lay out immediate, mid-term, and long-term needs for the industry, considering business, technical, and integration risks. This group will identify and characterize these trends and topics, then lead or spin off groups of practitioners that will test and optimize practical approaches for managing this futuristic view.

We are looking for forward-looking and forward-thinking CEO’s, who can connect the dots and address key topics that are and will be dramatically changing our industry as a whole. If you would like to be a part of this elite group of leaders please contact MCA, Inc.

NEW! IEC Convention + Expo 2018:

IEC will hold their annual Convention this year at the Indianapolis Convention Center September 19th—22nd. Come visit MCA’s booth (#224) for a quick demonstration of Agile tools and principles. We look forward to meeting with you . For more information visit https://www.ieci.org/iecconvention

NEW! Agile Tools User’s Forum:

MCA is excited to announce that the NEW Agile Tools User’s Forum is now online and is in use. This forum functions as a portal, designed to help Agile Construction® Practitioners conveniently help one another in open communication. Users are encouraged to discuss issues, and problem solve through open discussion on this forum with their own peers. This is a web based forum which can be accessed on any device with internet access and will be moderated by MCA to help the field and/or expedite any unanswered questions that may occur. This first Agile Tools Forum is currently in pilot stages with Staff Electric. With its success, MCA has plans to roll-out this forum, or one like it to all clients to help their pursuit in becoming a more agile company. Look for more information in the next SOTI.

NEW! MCA Turns Platinum:

MCA recently upgraded their Bronze Partnership status with IEC to Platinum level in hopes to reach more people in the industry to train and share decades of knowledge in the field of Agile Construction® and Industrialization of Construction®. Visit www.mca.net or call (810) 232-9797 for more information.

Testimonial & Customer Results:

Culliton “We are still learning, but I can’t imagine our projects today without Agile component, in the way we look at it. MCA has spent 3 years peeling the onion back and leading us there. We have a quicker turn-around for “learning” on the estimating side. We can’t say enough how much I appreciate what you guys did for us.” ~ Ted Lange, Culliton

MCA Spring Symposium:

MCA Inc. Presents

Agile Construction®: A Path to Industrialization

Symposium on the Tools & Processes Needed for Success

8:00am – 3:00pmFriday,

May 17, 2019

The Crowne Plaza,
Northbrook, Illinois

The market is hot, the workforce shortage is real, and the industry is transforming. Be part of the Revolution and hear how it can be done, from experts and practitioners of Agile Construction®, in both union and non-union environments.

Network with other practitioners who want to stay ahead of the curve, improve productivity, safety, prefabrication, reduce risk, and stay competitive. Whether you’re a prefab leader or just getting started, join us May 17th to innovate the way your team delivers maximum value to your clients.

This springs Symposium will focus on...

1. Prefabrication in Industrialized environment
2. Vendor relationships and integrated logistics
3. Managing Work and Labor through Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
4. Productivity Measurement

We look forward to seeing you!

For more information click here.
To register click here.