In this episode of Construction Confidential, Heather and Robin peel back the curtain on the planning phase—arguably the most critical part of any construction project. By diving into the concept of a “program,” they show how a clear, well-developed plan can align your entire team, protect your investment, and prevent costly change orders down the line.
What You’ll Learn:
The Value of a Program: Why a detailed planning phase costs you nothing—but saves you millions later.
Effective Owner Leadership: How creating a guiding vision with your stakeholders sets the stage for success.
Charrettes Unpacked: Discover the power of a creative, collaborative work session (a “charrette”) to unlock game-changing ideas.
Architect Benefits: See why a well-crafted program makes your architect’s job easier—and your building better.
Avoiding Field Changes: Understand how thoughtful planning today protects your budget and your project’s future.
Key Takeaways:
An effective planning program isn’t just paperwork—it’s the foundation that transforms scattered ideas into a cohesive, aligned vision. When you’re fully engaged from the start, you empower your team, inspire creative solutions, and dramatically reduce the risk of expensive surprises during construction.
00:00 – Intro & Sponsorship: Heather and Robin kick things off with a word from Hard Hats—your head’s best friend.
00:30 – Entering the Planning Phase: What it means to start at the top of a project and define your program.
02:00 – Effective Owner Leadership: How a clear, guiding vision sets every stakeholder on the same page.
04:00 – The Cost of Change vs. Planning: Why decisions made during planning cost nothing compared to field changes.
06:30 – Architect & Owner Synergy: The benefits of coming to your architect with a complete program.
09:00 – The Power of Charrettes: How these creative, collaborative sessions drive innovative solutions.
12:00 – Aligning Your Team: Bringing together stakeholders and subject matter experts for a shared vision.
15:00 – Planning for Success: How a detailed program protects your aesthetics, design, and budget.
18:00 – Real-World Benefits: Avoiding costly change orders with a comprehensive program.
20:00 – Wrap-Up & Reminder: A quick reminder to check out our upcoming Cornerstone event—our Owner’s Edge conference in May. (See the registration link in our show notes!)
Episode 1: “You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know”
YouTube • Spotify
Episode 2: “What’s a Program? And Why You Need One”
YouTube • Spotify
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