001 - Stages of Construction Contractor Growth (Intro)

Every contractor grows through six general stages with each requiring different strategies, systems, structure, and leadership focus. 90-minute discussion covers the basic challenges with examples for all levels.

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
Share
Contributors Sue Weiler-Doke David Brown

 

 

YouTube  |  Spotify  |  Apple  |  Audible 

 

Use the timestamps below or individual video excerpts at the end to learn specific parts and reinforce them with your team. Contact us to dive deeper into anything discussed or to get a copy of the slides. 

 

All relationships begin with a simple conversation - Let's talk.


 

0:00:00 Who Comes Up with the Strategy?

0:01:25 Discussion Overview, Resources, and What's Next

0:03:58 Stages of Contractor Growth (The Basics)

0:07:20 The Basic Numbers (U.S. Contractors & Headcount)

0:13:40 Headcount, Management Structures, and Systems

0:21:00 Project Management at Different Stages of Growth

0:30:42 Short-Interval Planning (SIP) at Different Stages of Growth

0:44:20 Leadership Focus Changes Required with Each Stage of Growth

0:54:23 Floors, Ceilings, and Scaling (Careers & Contractors)

1:04:04 Management Team Development Phases at Each Stage of Growth

1:13:30 Emerging and Hollow Danger Zones

1:18:58 Resources - Growth Inflection Points and Self-Evaluation Worksheet

1:18:58 Coming Next

1:23:55 Thank You and Wrap-Up 



 

TOOLS

Growth Inflection Point Summary + Self-Evaluation Worksheet: https://dbmteam.com/insights/tool-growth-inflection-point-summary-plus-self-evaluation-worksheet/


 

BOOKS

Kiewit – An Uncommon Company: https://amzn.to/4cvfxl2

The Checklist Manifesto: https://amzn.to/46CVaiJ


 

TRAINING

Improving Field Productivity: https://dbmteam.com/training/improving-field-productivity/

Talent Value Stream (TVS) Roadmap: Never Let Talent Constrain Your Growth: https://dbmteam.com/training/talent-value-stream-tvs-roadmap-never-let-talent-constrain-your-growth/


 

ARTICLES & OTHER RESOURCES

Headcount, Stages of Contractor Growth, and Growth Inflection Points:  https://dbmteam.com/insights/headcount-stages-of-contractor-growth-and-growth-inflection-points/

Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top Lists: https://www.enr.com/toplists

8 Indicators That You May Be at a Growth Inflection Point: https://dbmteam.com/insights/8-indicators-that-you-may-be-at-a-growth-inflection-point/

Headcount, Management Structure, and Systems: https://dbmteam.com/insights/headcount-management-structure-and-systems/

Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) and Contractor Growth: https://dbmteam.com/insights/responsibility-assignment-matrix-ram-and-contractor-growth/

Purchasing Impact on Construction Contractors: https://dbmteam.com/insights/purchasing-impact-on-construction-contractors/

Higher Scores Aren’t Always Better: Percent Planned Complete (PPC) Example: https://dbmteam.com/insights/higher-scores-aren-t-always-better-percent-planned-complete-ppc-example/

Planning for the Continued Decline of the Deep Expertise Age Band in Construction: https://dbmteam.com/insights/planning-for-the-continued-decline-of-the-deep-expertise-age-band-in-construction/

Theory of Constraints (ToC) Basic Overview: https://dbmteam.com/insights/theory-of-constraints-toc-basic-overview/

Racing, Equipment, Heart Rates, and Contractor Growth: https://dbmteam.com/insights/racing-equipment-heart-rates-and-contractor-growth/

Continuous Improvement: Plan, Do, Check, and Act (PDCA): https://dbmteam.com/insights/continuous-improvement-plan-do-check-and-act-pdca/



 

EXCERPTS 

How to Change Your Construction Business Culture for Growth

 

Development Phases at Every Stage of Growth

 

Leadership Focus Changes with Each Stage of Growth

 


001 - Stages of Construction Contractor Growth (Intro)
Building projects requires technical expertise and resources. Building a construction business is about developing and aligning those capabilities with customers. A series of discussions about all elements of a construction business at all stages of growth, including real-world examples of application and outcomes both good and bad....

Related Training
001 - Stages of Construction Contractor Growth (Intro)
Building projects requires technical expertise and resources. Building a construction business is about developing and aligning those capabilities with customers. A series of discussions about all elements of a construction business at all stages of growth, including real-world examples of application and outcomes both good and bad....

Our Principles for Creating Value in Careers, Projects, and Contracting
“As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The person who grasps principles can successfully select their own methods. The person who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.” - Harrington Emmerson
Technology Integration - Critical Inflection Points and Streamlining Workflows
Construction technology can no longer be treated like a “Project” with a beginning, middle, and end to the implementation. There are now hundreds of specialized technology tools that can be implemented by contractors and each add individual value.
Continuous Improvement - Takes or Saves Time
I am too busy to learn to improve the process! This statement is only funny because it is so true. It is one of the first mindsets you have to break within yourself and then within your team if you want to achieve consistent operational excellence.