14 by Dave

MacNeel

CONSTRUCTION
VARIANCES
TRACK, STUDY, AND INSTALL
COUNTERMEASURES FOR
THESE DAILY
WHAT'S A
VARIANCE?
Whenever an activity or
commitment on your Weekly
Work Plan (WWP) does not
complete as planned. If the
work is done early, done late or
not done at all = Variance

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
WHY DO WE
TRACK THEM?
Every variance gives you an
opportunity to learn and
improve. They are part of a
rapid feedback loop that drives
continuous improvement on
projects.

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
WHY DAILY?
Variances should be discussed
every day at the daily huddle.
Don't wait until the end of the
week or the following week.
Why? Because our memories
have a half-life. Capture them
as they occur for maximum
understanding & impact.
by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
HERE ARE THE
VARIANCE
CATEGORIES:

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
1.
SAFETY CONCERN
Teams should always have the
ability to stop work (or not even
start work) if there is a safety
concern. Example: Area was not
safe due welding sparks
dropping from the floor above.
by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
2.
MISSING INFO
Missing information that was
necessary to continue work.
Example: RFI response with
missing dimensions was
anticipated but did not arrive.

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
3.
CHANGES
A change directive that impacts
work in process. Example: Wall
framing was stopped on the 6th
floor due a pending change to
the patient rooms.

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
4.
WEATHER
A weather event impacted the
team's ability to complete.
Example: Rain with lightning, or
high winds forced the tower
cranes to shut down.

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
5.
PREREQUISITE WORK
Prior work in a sequence that
did not complete. Example:
Flooring could not be installed
because other trades were still
working in these rooms.

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
6.
LABOR
Insufficient labor to complete
the task. Example: the plan was
for 6 painters to finish final coat,
but only 2 workers showed up
this week.

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
7.
MATERIALS
Missing the correct materials to
complete the task. Example:
Post-tensioning cables were
needed on Tuesday, but they
didn't arrive until Thursday,

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
8.
INCORRECT DURATION
The anticipated time needed
was wrong. Could be too much
time or too little time. Example:
activity planned for 2 days but it
took 4 OR planned for 4 but only
took 2 days.
by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
9.
SUBMITTALS
A submittal or approval was
missing or did not arrive as
anticipated. Example: Paint
color approval was needed for
lobby area, but did not arrive.

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
10.
EQUIP / HOISTING
Necessary equipment or
hoisting broke down or was not
otherwise available. Example:
could not fly steel due to tower
crane cable repairs.

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
11.
UNFORSEEN
Interruption or stoppage due to
an issue that could not be
anticipated. Example: footing
operation stopped due to
discovery of old fuel tanks.

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
12.
INSPECTION/PERMIT
Interruption or stoppage due to
a failed inspection or permit.
Example: Waterline was not
backfilled due to a failed
pressure test.

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
13.
LACK OF COORD. /
CHANGE OF PLAN
An avoidable interruption or
change of direction. Example:
ductbank excavation limits
were not clear and it cut off
access.
by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
14.
OTHER (DESCRIBE)
Any variance that does not fit in
the first 13 categories. Use this
category sparingly. Example: a
waterline break on an adjacent
property floods your site.

by Dave MacNeel
onpointlean.com
 Track variances daily,
summarize weekly, and
take action to keep them
from happeing again.

Dave
MacNeel

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