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April 25, 2019

Waste in the Design and Construction Sector

No, not the stuff leftover from building things.

Studies show that 54% of the energy and resources, including human capital, that we invest in designing and constructing buildings doesn't deliver value.

Is wasted.

This is one of the drivers behind the move to Lean Design and Construction.

Following on the piece on productivity below, low productivity is a significant factor in that waste.

April 18, 2019

Practice and Productivity

Whenever Brian speaks to conferences and to clients about the challenges facing our design and construction industry, he talks about low productivity.

He cites studies by Dr. Paul Teicholz at Stanford University including one that contrasts the decline in productivity in the design and construction sector compared with the improved productivity (2.5 times) in the rest of the economy over a period starting in 1964.

Productivity, very simply defined, is output produced divided by input invested. In the case of a professional practice, the input includes labour plus infrastructure.

Kermit Baker is the Chief Economist of the American Institute of Architects. He has an interesting piece in the January issue of AIA Architect, within the journal ARCHITECT. He explores the question “Can Technology Solve Architects’ Productivity Challenge?”

Read it HERE

April 11, 2019

National Volunteer Week

Brian has always been an active volunteer from his days in architectural practice back in Niagara Falls right up until the present, when he has volunteered as the Chair of the Government Relations Committee for DeafBlind Ontario Services for over 13 years.

This amazing organization that provides service and support to some of our most vulnerable neighbours celebrates volunteerism and volunteers, especially during Volunteer Week.

This year the sent a token of appreciation … Happy Socks! (Brian is known for wearing joyful socks … he started before that guy in Ottawa did!)

He’ll wear these with pride!

March 30, 2019

Now THIS is Interesting!

A long-time designer client has been working to advance a project with a private owner. Interested in Lean and Integrated Project Delivery, they have discussed moving the project to this emerging delivery model from Construction Management.

Engaged us to educate the owner and facilitate the discussion in the Fall of ’18.

And the owner decided to do it! We’ve been engaged as the IPD Advisor to the team. The Pre-validation phase is underway!

February 19, 2019

Good Work!

Recent newsletter from Strategy+Business talks about the benefits of employers/managers creating a Good Work environment. Including competitive advantage and attracting top talent.

AI is coming. The WHO says stress is “health epidemic of the 21^st century”. 24/7 overload and the ‘gig economy’.

What makes a great workplace context? Here are a few factors: “fair pay, tolerable levels of change, autonomy and control over one’s work, and a chance for fulfillment.”

Read the full article HERE

February 9, 2019

And Counting!!

We launched Strategies 4 Impact! 13 years ago, primarily to provide strategic advice and support to businesses in the design and construction sector, their associations and their clients.

It’s been a great ride! Lots of variety … a long list of private design and construction companies as clients – facilitating strategic and business planning, for example. Brian spent a year consulting part-time to the Capital Planning and Strategies Branch at Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Another 7 ½ years facilitating constructive dialogue between Infrastructure Ontario and the design and construction industry. Lots of education, writing, presentations at conferences.

Lately the focus has been on Lean Integrated Project Delivery – educating, training, helping our clients develop their unique strategy for success under this rapidly emerging new option for project delivery.

And also servicing clients outside of the sector, for example, four (so far!) cycles of strategic planning for DeafBlind Ontario Services.

Onward and upward!

February 8, 2019

We were struck by this final advice from Paul Dewar, the former MP who died Wednesday from brain cancer.

Inspiring!

In my time on this earth, I was passionate about the power of citizens working together and making a difference.

I wanted a Canada where we treat our fellow citizens with the dignity, love and respect that every one of us deserves.

I wanted a world where we reduced suffering and increased happiness. A world where we took better care of each other...

It is easy sometimes to feel overwhelmed by the gravity of the challenges we face. Issues like climate change, forced migration and the threat posed by nuclear weapons. It’s hard to know how to make a difference.

The secret is not to focus on how to solve the problem, but concentrate on what you can contribute – to your country, your community and neighbours.

Start from a place of compassion...

January 1, 2019

Construction Tech Trends 2019

The B1M has a great video highlighting the Tech Trends in Design and Construction we need to tap into in 2019.

Brian is among so many who for years – and years, and years … - has been talking about how this sector has failed to take advantage of tech advances.

Holding back productivity, efficiency, safety, building performance, economics, addressing climate change … oh, and profitability. This 12 minute vid touches on key tech advances already in play that we should see really ‘kick in’ in 2019 …

Let’s seize these opportunities!

Robotics

Artificial Intelligence

Exoskeletons

Connected jobsites

Autonomous (mostly electric) vehicles

Advanced materials (e.g. ‘pollution-eating concrete’)

Unmanned aerial vehicles (think. drones)

Virtual and Automated Reality

3D Printing

All contributing to an Intelligent Built Environment that collects data that informs continuous improvement (there’s that Lean concept again --- continuous improvement!)

View the vid HERE

December 18, 2018

The Value of “Mindfulness” in Business

Social Psychology Prof Ellen Langer (Harvard) has conducted decades of research – among her many conclusions (and advice to business leaders):

Mindfulness is noticing changes around you and finding the positives, the opportunities in that changing context
“Context” is the master of your fate – not your inner personality
Mindfulness fosters – drives – innovation
Meditation is just a tool ... there are other ways to be mindful
Mindfulness is energizing and strengthens teams
Focus on mindfulness celebrates the different value that each team member can contribute and therefore cultivates a culture that is centred on respect for people

Consider the benefits of creating a business culture focused on mindfulness.

Amazing how this connects with Lean principles – “respect for people”, “innovation” …

“The quality movement and Japanese management, for example, have a lot of methods that develop people’s awareness of the processes around them. They are continuously engaged in improving the systems, paying attention to every detail, and making it better.”

Read the article in s+b HERE and view the short video

December 17, 2018

So…Canadian Business Supports a Carbon Tax

CBC ran a piece reporting that the Canadian Chamber of Commerce agrees evidence of climate change is conclusive AND that Canadian companies are prepared to accept pricing as a cost of doing business.

The Chamber goes on to tell governments to stop using carbon taxes as a ‘political bargaining chip’.

Simplicity, reliability and predictability are what business (and investors) are looking for.

This is all included in a report issued this week by the Chamber which represents 200,000 businesses. The report and the Chamber support the strategy of the federal government and says policy u-turns as we’ve seen in some provinces are bad for business.

Read the full CBC piece HERE

HERE is the report

December 16, 2018

Successfully Applying Lean in Design and Construction

Brian moderated this well-received panel at the Buildings Show November 29 – requests are still coming in for copies of the presentations.

The Key Message was that Lean can be applied to design and construction regardless of how the project is being delivered, not just in Integrated Project Delivery. Construction Management, Design Build – even Design Bid Build!

Brian opened with an overview of Lean (think Toyota!) and how the design and construction sector has been working over the past 2 decades to apply Lean principles to deliver greater value and quality, reduce costs and schedule on projects. He also outlined some of the key Lean systems, processes and tools that have already been developed to ‘Lean’ these projects – no one has to start with a blank slate.

Cliff Harvey, Chief Planning Officer of Niagara Health came at Lean from the Owner’s perspective. Collaboration, Integration, bringing new business thinking to design and construction. Delivering greater value.

Marcus Gillam, CEO of Gillam Group, then talked about that company’s “Lean Journey”. (So far! – it never ends!!) He talked about Lean fundamentals and why Gillam is so committed to Lean. He delivered a case study of a project that demonstrated the successful use of Lean tools and processes.

Lots of discussion with attendees afterward.

Lots of interest in Lean!

December 14, 2018

Super-slender Skyscraper – Prefabricated

This quick vid from B1M opens with the move toward super-slender skyscrapers in NYC due to limited land availability and high land prices. But it’s not limited to NYC.

It then focuses on a super-slender skyscraper in Melbourne Australia that is unique in that it is prefabricated.

Prefab, of course, is a Lean approach to design and construction. Higher quality, safer construction, faster, cheaper …

The modules are factory built, transported to the site, and installed in one hour.

Building enclosure complete with the modules in place.

Pretty cool! Check it out HERE

December 13, 2018

A Really BIG Battery at Last?

CBC ran a short piece on Ambri, a company led by two Canadians at MIT. Called Ambri.

No, this battery is not lithium ion. It uses liquid metals and molten salt.

It's powerful enough to provide electricity for a whole neighbourhood and it can easily be scaled up into something even bigger and more powerful.

It doesn’t overheat or explode and lasts a long time.

Could this be an answer to storing solar and wind power for use when the sun isn’t shining and the wind is still?

Read the CBC piece HERE

And more about Ambri HERE

November 21, 2018

P3 Models Need to Evolve – to be more like IPD

A panel of experts at the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships said it’s time for the P3 model we know in Canada to evolve.

Principally to keep owners more involved in the projects, for a longer time rather than just at initiation.

They actually suggested “More like Integrated Project Delivery”.

They also talked about the unrealistic attempts to transfer risks like “fitness for purpose” onto designers and constructors, something Brian emphasizes when talking about Integrated Project Delivery. The objective in IPD is to share risk and reward.

Read about the panel discussions HERE

November 15, 2018

More LEAN IPD

Brian spent a couple of days educating clients in Ontario about Lean Design and Construction and Integrated Project Delivery. He helped them explore the emerging opportunities for designers and constructors as more public and private owners are trying this new method of procuring and delivering building design and construction. And develop their strategy for tapping into this market.

Then flew to Alberta to educate a project team for a long-established construction company that is planning to pursue a public Lean IPD project.

On Day One he provided a broad overview of Lean and how the Lean principles from manufacturing are being applied to design and construction. Then linked it to the integrated team approach that benefits so much from early input of construction trades and suppliers back when major design decisions are made. He discussed the full slate of proven Lean IPD systems, processes and tools that are available to project teams, including the Last Planner System and Target Value Design. He refers to this as ‘firehose education’ because he’s transferring so much information in a single day to give them an overarching sense of Lean IPD.

On Day Two he worked intensively with the team to develop their pursuit strategy and begin drafting their proposal. He’s back in Ontario today and will continue to work remotely with the team to finalize the proposal and win the project!

And, two more teams are waiting in the wings for Brian's help!

November 9, 2018

Centre for Architecture, Design + Health Innovation

Brian facilitated the inaugural roundtable of this brand new institute based at the University of Toronto in the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design.

Experts in health care and design from across Canada and the U.S. gathered to begin the process of identifying priorities for research and gathering of evidence and data to support innovation in design for health care.

All of this as our system of delivering that care evolves from instituionally based care, to community and home-based care. Patient centric.

Traditionally, design for health care has focused on hospitals, especially acute care facilities. More recently there is growing evidence that the design of the broad built environment has a therapeutic effect on human well-being. Community design. Landscape and urban design. Ecological and sustainable design. Design to support home care. And so on …

The Centre will draw from U of T strengths in health sciences, public health policy, engineering, social sciences and humanities and, of course, architecture.

From the director of the Centre "Special thanks to Brian Watkinson, of Strategies 4 Impact!, who most generously donated his considerable expertise to making yesterday a success!"

November 9, 2018

A Review of Both the U.S. and Canadian Economies

ConstructConnect has done a detailed analysis comparing performance of our two economies. 18 graphs clearly track performance and indicate trends.

Interestingly, those graphs have been prepared to illustrate the effect of population and other factors.

The article, penned by Alex Carrick, offers this overview …

The U.S. clearly suffered a much greater drop in total employment in the 2008-2009 recession than did Canada. The pickup in jobs from 2010 through 2015 was, however, much faster in the U.S. From 2016 to the present, Canada has ‘upped its game’ and has managed the same solid upward trajectory as in America.

November 7, 2018

The Buildings Show (including Construct Canada)

FREE REGISTRATION ENDS November 9

Brian has participated as a speaker, panelist and moderator at Construct Canada every year since the mid-1990’s.

He’s speaking with and moderating a panel again this year, “Successfully Applying Lean Principles and Processes to Design and Construction”. See item in What’s New October 10.

Free Registration for The Buildings Show is available until November 9.

November 3, 2018

Artificial Biospheres – Viable Mechanism for Coping With Climate Change?

Science demonstrates we are experiencing climate change, global warming. And that it is already having significant impact on our world and our lives. Recently the International Panel on Climate Change released a report stressing that we must limit global warming to 1.5 degrees F or face irreversible damage to the planet. See earlier items in What’s New?

Now, in the face of the evidence, some (the U.S. President, for example) suggest it’s a blip, and ‘it’ll go back’. There is absolutely no science to support that wishful thinking.

Others assure us that we’ll innovate ways to adapt to climate change.

One might be artificial biospheres. Like this one in Montreal.

Here’s a quick and thought-provoking B1M video that talks about those, and that points out that, among other things, this will lead to even more division between citizens of the world … those who can (afford to be) inside, and those who are left outside.

November 2, 2018

And Another One!

Yet another call from a company looking for our help pursuing a Lean IPD project!

Brian points out he talked to folks two months ago who assured him that Lean IPD is just 'flavour of the month' and has run its course in Canada.

Seems not!

November 2, 2018

R and D and Innovation

Strategy+Business has an interesting piece on the 6 things the world’s top innovators get right! Links innovation to R and D with lots of research and stats.

Here are those top 6 things they do when applying R and D to innovation …

1. They closely align innovation strategy with business strategy.

2. They create company-wide cultural support for innovation.

3. Their top leadership is highly involved with the innovation program.

4. They base innovation on direct insights from end-users.

5. They rigorously control project selection early in the innovation process.

6. They excel at each of these first five characteristics and have been able to integrate them to create unique customer experiences that can transform their market.

Find the full article HERE

November 1, 2018

Pull Planning Your Life?

Finished reading Find Your Yellow Tux (Jesse Cole).

Lots of emphasis on differentiating yourself. “If it’s normal do the exact opposite.”

Cole recommends making “Small Bets” to move forward in life. Incremental steps.

BUT, at some point, he says, you do need to take risks and “Go all In!”

In terms of planning your life trajectory “… the key to success is to reverse engineer your life. Stop living day by day. Go to the end. Picture what your fulfilling life looks like, and write down the steps it will take to get there.”

Sounds a LOT like the pull planning process we use in Lean Design and Construction. We establish the end milestone, usually occupancy of the building, then work backwards from that, step-by-step, to plan in detail how the project team will get there.

Same thing in life … set a target, your ‘fulfilling life’ using Cole’s words … then pull plan back from that, in incremental steps, to figure out how to get there!

Final words in this book “… all you have to do to live the life of your dreams is to keep moving forward.”

November 1, 2018

Reflecting

No, not in a mirror or a lake. We’ve been reflecting on reflecting …

Just ‘taking a step back’ and investing time quietly thinking about, contemplating and considering ideas, concepts, philosophies, recent activities and circumstances … some may call this meditating, though that tends to conjure up preconceptions.

One definition from Oxford is of the mass noun, reflection: “Serious thought or consideration.”

As in “He doesn't get much time for reflection.” or “Rational people revise their views in the light of deeper reflection on an issue, or new information which warrants a change of mind.”

On reflection, it’s a great habit to cultivate. Leads to better conclusions, decisions that are thought through, innovation … and it’s a great approach to relieving the stress with which so many of us are living in this hectic (chaotic?) 21^st century.

Brian applies this in his role as a strategist, advisor and facilitator. When working with our clients he often reflects after a workshop, discussion, debate … and then shares those thoughts.

Reflection is a key process in Lean design and construction, and in project delivery. Brian schedules interactive sessions with teams not so much to focus on ‘lessons learned’ or ‘root cause analysis’, but just to take that step back and consider how the project is unfolding. That then leads to focus on that other Lean principle … ‘continuous improvement’.

October 31, 2018

LEAN IPD ... They Just Keep Coming!

We just got off the phone with a Construction Management company in Western Canada asking for our support and advice in pursuing two more public, Lean IPD institutional projects out there.

Brian is scrambling to help!

October 31, 2018

Coming Together

Brian spent a few hours recently with two small architectural practices that wanted his support in exploring strategies for collaboration and merger.

They discussed the potential benefits including market opportunities and profitability.

What the end state might look like in 5 to 8 years, including business structures.

And some early ideas about how to configure and execute a successful transition that would allow each practice to complete its work in progress, while building the new joint firm and pursuing business for it.

Brian sent them a few of his working checklists for the things to think about while moving forward. With emphasis on the always-crucial 'chemistry' in the personal and business relationship.

They are planning to implement around the end of this year ... when well planned, it doesn't take that long to put structure and processes in place!

He has made us available to provide additional advice and support as needed.

Not longer after leaving the OAA in 2006 Brian penned an article for Canadian Architect on Mergers and Acquisitions

October 31, 2018

Finding Your Passion

The previous item in What’s New? talks about Mary Robinson, former PM of Ireland, who has found her passion … saving the planet.

How do we find ours?

Here’s a quick little piece from TED that lists 5 ways to find that passion.

October 30, 2018

Climate Change – Words of Hope

Yes, there are still those who deny climate change. Yes, there are governments who refuse to act to mitigate then eliminate the negative impact on those of us who live and breathe today, and on successive generations.

Then there’s that recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (195 countries including Canada and the U.S.) that concludes we MUST take action NOW to limit temperature rise to 1.5 F degrees or face irreversible impact on our world, ourselves and future generations. We have 12 years to solve this. (see previous items in What’s New?)

Depressing!

As a bit of an antidote, we came across this piece by Mary Robinson, former PM of Ireland, who has made her raison d’etre – saving the planet.

Positive words of hope!

October 24, 2018

UofT Architecture Lecture on LEAN IPD

Brian delivered what is becoming an annual lecture to the M.Arch. class at the Daniels School of Architecture at University of Toronto on LEAN and Integrated Project Delivery.

Very well received as always.

"Thanks so much for your great Lean IPD Lecture on Wednesday.

Some excellent images, great stories and solid knowledge on a still new procurement methodology."

High level principles, processes and tools for LEAN Design and Construction (which can be used on any project including Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, Construction Management and Public Private Partnerships) …

PLUS Integrated Project Delivery using the new CCDC 30 Multi-Party Contract to share risk and reward across the project team, collaborate and integrate services, AND employ those LEAN principles that probably deliver greatest benefit in an IPD contract setting.

Deliver greater value through the project, respect the people on the team, eliminate waste, and engage in continuous improvement.

Brian emphasized that all of this requires a HUGE cultural shift – a new way of thinking – on the part of the entire project team!

He also stressed greatly increased opportunities for INNOVATION through the team approach to IPD and increased team satisfaction because of the emphasis on collaboration (instead of adversarial relationships!)

All delivered in less than 90 minutes!!

October 23, 2018

Another Very Successful LEAN IPD Education Session

Brian spent Monday leading an educational workshop on LEAN and Integrated Project Delivery for a long-time AE client.

“Brian, that was a great day today!”

“We all know bits and pieces about LEAN Design and Construction and IPD, but the way you consolidated it all today was perfect!”

This design practice is busy creating its own LEAN IPD project by having Brian help them educate a current client on LEAN IPD and explaining the many benefits for the client and current project. That's a strategy Brian has been recommending to all of our clients.

“Brian, you do come across as an expert in LEAN and IPD. Answered all of our questions!”

A key message from this session was to distinguish between LEAN Design and Construction and IPD. Lean can be applied to ANY project delivery model … Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, Construction Management … though it probably delivers greatest value in IPD.

This was the first in a planned series of sessions with our AE client.

October 18, 2018

Oakville Trafalgar Park Revitalization – LEAN IPD

Now in use, this is one of the first LEAN IPD projects for a municipality in Canada.

With his colleague, Dick Bayer, Brian has been the LEAN IPD advisor to the Town for this project. Services they provided to Oakville included:

Education of Town staff

Support in procurement of the successful IPD Design and Construction Team

Support in drafting and negotiating the multi-party IPD contract

Facilitation and coaching

Ongoing advice to the Town and the team

The project was comparatively complex, involving multiple municipal departments and including:

Complete reconstruction and expansion of the Oakville Arena with its heritage wood trusses to incorporate an NHL ice pad

Addition of a Community Centre, including seniors’ facilities

Extensive improvements and modernization of the park and its facilities

A new Fire Station 3

what's brian reading?

Mark Kushner is a practicing architect in the U.S. who also curates an online exhibit of world architecture on Architizer.com.

In this TED book, he has collected images of 100 buildings that he feels represent future potential of architecture, categorized:

· Extreme Locations, like Antarctica

· Reinvention - adaptive reuse and innovative use of materials

· Get Better - buildings can have a truly positive impact on people

· Pop-Up - as it suggests, examples of ‘pop-up’ architecture happening unexpectedly

· Shape Shifter - how new tech, digital modeling are leading to unique spaces

· Drive, architecture to accommodate cars and transits

· Nature Building, incorporating nature landscapes in, onto and around buildings

· Shelter from the Storm, resilient design

· Shrink - thinking and designing smaller (Tiny Houses?)

· Social Catalysts - architecture encouraging the act of community

· Fast Forward - new materials and systems, new ways of constructing - buildings that eat smog?

Generally there's a single image of each building, with commentary by Kushner.

A very interesting, thought-provoking read for anyone who has an interest in building!

In other words "Differentiate Yourself".

Very quick, easy, entertaining read.

Cole is owner of two college level summer league baseball teams. Both perennial losers. He turned them around spectacularly.

By being different than all of the competitors.

He turned a college football game into "a circus" by framing it as entertainment. A circus with Cole as the ringmaster ... wearing a yellow tux and top hat.

Both teams started attracting bigger crowds, making (not losing) money ... winning.

How can you apply this kind of thinking to YOUR situation ... you and your entrprise?

"... finding your yellow tux is about standing out and sharing the best version of yourself."

"It's about you, your business, your legacy."

"That's why I say if it's normal, do the exact opposite."

BUT "... yellow tuxing isn't about being different for the sake of being different."

Cole lays out his three-pronged approach:

1. Yellow Tuxing Yourself

2. Yellow Tuxing Your Business

3. Yellow Tuxing Your Legacy

The latest from Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind, Drive and more.

This time his focus starts with our internal clocks, circadian rhythms.

When to make or NOT make fateful decisions.

Don't go 'under the knife' in July, research shows ... young interns flood into hospitals as full-fledged docs and are more prone to making mistakes. It's known as 'killing season' in England.

Are you a 'lark' that excels in the morning? An 'owl' that excels in the wee, small hours? Or what Pink calls 'third birds' that are somewhere in between?

He says we often ask "Who? What? Where? Why?" but too often forget to consider "When?".

Hence this book. He focuses on beginnings, midpoints and endings ... and more.

Fascinating read that brings 'scientific secrets of perfect timing' into play. psychology, biology, neuroscience and economics.

This will get you thinking about your past, present and future.

And when you should make those fateful decisions!

Pivot YOU ... Pivot Your Enterprise!

Jenny Blake created the Pivot Method to guide those 'impacters' among us who are planning career changes.

Impacters are individuals who optimize high net growth and impact, not just high net worth. They love learning, taking action, tackling new projects, and solving problems. They are generous and cooperative and imbued with a strong desire to make a difference.

And candidates for career change.

Her step-by-step method to guide career trajectory decisions:

Plant - your strengths as your foundation

Scan - what are the opportunities?

Pilot - Try a few low-risk test runs before you make the big decision.

Launch - Go For It!

She adds another step for organizational leaders - LEAD.

Lots of examples and details.

And take heart. Don't worry that someone else has already grabbed your vision. "Your biggest vision is worth pursuing. Just as no two people have the same fingerprint, your ideas have not yet been tackled with your unique upbringing, worldview, and life experiences at this moment in time, in the framework of our current economy and technology, for your intended community."

And, she only hints at this, but you can take the same approach to Pivoting your business!!

Brian is helping businesses apply LEAN principles, tools and processes to deliver greater value to customers, eliminate waste and introduce continuous improvement across their enterprise.

He has focused in particular on LEAN in Design, speaking at a number of design/construction conferences and advising/coaching private sector companies.

The Lean Turnaround is a great reference!