Best Practices

Simple and fun introduction to lean concepts: Thinking outside the dome

Using Lean concepts can be very powerful; the trick is using them correctly. In an earlier blog I discussed ‘Lean and Six Sigma in Construction’ (…

Best Practices

It doesn’t matter where you excel, it’s where you need to improve that counts

Are you curious? Sometimes I wonder just how curious people really are. For example do you talking to those next to you at conferences?  I don’t mean…

Best Practices

Quality Management | Big Q and little q

Big Q and little q is a term coined by Dr Juran and is key in fully understanding quality. It contrasts the difference between managing for quality…

Best Practices

The peanut butter & jelly sandwich workshop: A lesson in quality

Yes believe it or not we can learn a lot from the simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich. While this is very simple it is also a low cost, fun and…

Best Practices

The Great Pyramid and Pantheon: ancient construction quality

In a recent discussion regarding the impact of quality on the ASQ Design & Construction Division Linkedin Group, a member made the comment that ‘…

Best Practices

Managing in a downturn

Wisdom is timeless, which is why two Harvard Business Review articles published in 2001 and 2008 are still as valid and thought provoking today as…

Best Practices

BIM are we using it to its max and not forgetting quality?

BIM is technology which can be of enormous help. It can of course be a great tool to help us integrate for example design and estimating. It should…

Best Practices

An impact of quality video, a builders view

So often I hear builders say that quality may work in manufacturing plants, but not out here building homes. Well of course it does work, but hearing…

Do you want fries with that?

While dining at a restaurant recently I was asked by the waiter how my meal was and if there was anything that could be improved. The meal and…

Now is the time for 100% customer satisfaction and operational improvement: Your trades as true expert partners

While all builders are trying to become leaner, more innovative and customer focused to impact the bottom line, we should not forget about reaching…