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The Biggest Constraint, Hawaii & Australia Jobs, Thinking Like a Schedule Manager

The Biggest Constraint, Hawaii & Australia Jobs, Thinking Like a Schedule Manager

Micah Piippo
February 03, 2025

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Welcome back to Beyond Deadlines newsletter—a free perk for people looking to improve in Planning and Scheduling. Each week, we provide tactics, prompts, jobs and food for thought. We want you to succeed today, tomorrow and throughout the rest of your career.

Another business man might have started with small, vulnerable firms, building on easy victories, but Rockefeller started at tent top, believing that if he could crack his strongest competitor first, it would have a tremendous psychological impact.

Titon by Rob Chernow

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Too often, teams focus on small, easy wins—optimizing non-critical work while the real constraint quietly tightens its grip.

The elephant in the room goes unaddressed because tackling it means having the hardest conversations. By the time they do, options are limited, and delays are inevitable.

For example:

“Our plan requires 200 electricians and we can only get 100.”

Sounds straightforward, right?

By why do these obvious issues get kicked down the road?

💡 Here’s the tactic I recommend to identify and solve constraints before they derail your project:

1️⃣ Identify the Single Biggest Threat

Not all risks are equal. The key is finding the constraint that has the highest impact on your schedule. Ask:

• What activity, if delayed, will push the project end date?

• What resource, if unavailable, will halt progress?

• What external factor (permitting, inspections, utilities) could cause a hard stop?

2️⃣ Attack It First—Even When It’s Uncomfortable

The biggest constraints usually require the hardest conversations—with suppliers, owners, trade partners, or even your own team.

• If a long lead item is critical, demand commitments today.

• If a subcontractor is stretched thin, force a tough conversation about realistic labor.

• If permitting is at risk, escalate to decision-makers before it becomes a crisis.

3️⃣ Build a Buffer Around It

Plans should be built around constraints, not assume they won’t happen.

• Add float where you can.

• Plan alternative workflows if delays occur.

• Negotiate backup suppliers, labor sources, or approvals in advance.

4️⃣ Accept What Can’t Be Fixed—Then Adjust

Not every problem has a solution. Some constraints—like material shortages or regulatory delays—can’t be eliminated. In those cases, own it early and shift your focus to mitigating impact. Ignoring reality only makes things worse.

👉 Your takeaway: The strongest teams don’t avoid the elephant in the room—they confront it. Find your biggest constraint, have the hard conversations, and if it can’t be fixed, adjust before it’s too late.

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