James Miller

James Miller is vice president of construction operations at McKinstry, a national leader in designing, constructing, operating and maintaining high-performing buildings. He is responsible for ensuring operational excellence in the planning and execution of construction projects throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Construction Technology

Executive Project Reviews: Helping Projects Move from Risk to Recovery

Use this process to identify risk and address it using a collaborative, actionable approach that ultimately keeps everyone out of harm’s way.

September 5, 2022

James Miller

If a project seems at financial risk, it’s crucial to evaluate the project and focus on discussing the known risks, challenges and opportunities. Make sure to follow up and ensure the recovery plan is moving forward.

Construction Technology

Three-Phase Plan for More Impactful Project Review Meetings

Once you can script and execute sound project reviews, your teams will have a better understanding of where risks lie on their projects.

March 1, 2022

James Miller

In my last two columns, I wrote about six behaviors to build the foundation for quality labor plans and the four steps to adopting an iterative approach to the build plan process.

Construction Technology

Adopting an Iterative Approach to the Build Plan Process

Plan the work with the best information available so you get to a point where you can work the plan.

December 6, 2021

James Miller

The conundrum is: Time is of the essence, and planning our work needs to happen quickly to get into a proactive stance on a large construction project.

Construction Technology

Six Behaviors to Build the Foundation for Quality Labor Plans

When we partner with our craft leaders upfront, it pays project control dividends throughout the course of the project management.

September 3, 2021

James Miller

Building a labor plan for a construction project often feels more complex than it should.

Construction Technology

Keeping the End in Mind: Proper Project Closeout Begins with Pre- Work

Commit to the process and practice it with your teams on every project to deliver more value, and exhibit ownership and partnership.

June 1, 2021

James Miller

Commit to the preplanning process and practice it with your teams on every project to replace variability with certainty, deliver more value, and exhibit ownership and partnership.

Construction Technology

7 Steps to Communicate Toward Successful Project Schedules

As major subcontractors, we should use our voice to ensure we drive predictability into the plan and ensure the project’s success.

March 8, 2021

James Miller

) As major subcontractors, we have a voice in the process. We should use that voice to ensure we drive predictability into the schedule and help ensure success for our customers and teammates.

Construction Technology

Rules of Engagement: Do You Know What Your Teams and Customers are Thinking?

There is genuine concern among business leaders that physical distancing at work could hinder employee — and customer — engagement.

December 1, 2020

James Miller

There is genuine concern among business leaders that physical distancing at work could hinder employee — and customer — engagement.

Construction Technology

How to Define and Utilize Observable Behavior KPIs

Observable behaviors that ensure excellence are key to measuring projects early in the process.

August 31, 2020

James Miller

Diagnosing the health of a project, before metrics-based feedback is available, by leveraging the behavioral concepts that align with excellence.

Feature

Rethink your Approach to Resource Planning

Our industry is fixated on tools, but it’s organizational values that should matter most.

June 1, 2020

James Miller

While no one wants an economic slowdown, it can provide companies with an opportunity to get ready for the future by increasing efficiency and improving systems with less disruption.