Work Observations and Time Studies (Basic Overview)
D. Brown Management
February 15, 2025
Work observations and time studies are related but distinctly different. Both are incredibly powerful tools for management, process improvement, and talent development. Starter resources and use cases below.
lean management
Creating Potential and Delivered Value for Contractors
D. Brown Management
February 10, 2025
We are contractors and the contract is a tangible representation of potential value. That value is delivered when the right information, materials, and equipment come together at the right time in the hands of the right craftsperson for installation.
Alignment from Strategy to Execution
D. Brown Management
January 18, 2025
Misalignment between how projects are estimated and how they are built creates subpar outcomes at best and sometimes results in catastrophic failure. Alignment is not a task to be completed. It is an ongoing process starting at the top.
accounting estimating management planning strategy
Balancing Exploration and Exploitation
D. Brown Management
January 3, 2025
Exploitation involves choosing the best option based on current knowledge of the system which may be incomplete or misleading. Exploration involves testing new options that could lead to better future outcomes but drawing resources away from exploitation.
execution leadership planning
What Are You Optimizing For?
D. Brown Management
January 3, 2025
Prioritizing is about sequencing. Optimizing is about balance. Both are defined by your values, strategies, and objectives. Both are constrained by your finite resources including talent and capital. Start by knowing what you are optimizing for.
career strategy talent
Missing Person Protocol
D. Brown Management
January 3, 2025
One of the biggest challenges of growth is keeping an ever-increasing number of people aligned. With nearly everyone being over-scheduled and focusing on competing priorities, a missing person protocol is critical for successful meetings and decisions.
management
Directly Responsible Individual (DRI)
D. Brown Management
January 3, 2025
Defining a single Directly Responsible Individual (DRI) for an outcome is a foundation of effective process and organizational design. It is often misused when the individual doesn't have the right capabilities, capacity, authority, or management.
management
Short-Interval Plan (SIP) Workflow vs. Tool
D. Brown Management
January 2, 2025
Few things will improve project outcomes more than intentional planning and deliberate execution of your Short-Interval Plans. (SIPs). The SIP tool is the tangible task, the workflow is the much more valuable piece that creates great outcomes.
productivity schedule
Taxes - 4 Critical Aspects
D. Brown Management
January 1, 2025
Your taxes are most likely one of your top three expense categories. There are four critical aspects to them, starting with strategy, then modeling and planning, management, and preparation and filing. All are important and must work together over time.
accounting finance tax
Tax Deferral vs Tax Savings
D. Brown Management
January 1, 2025
Tax savings are very different than tax deferrals. Too often these are misunderstood by owners leading to negative surprises down the road with the most common being the switch from cash to accrual accounting in the earlier stages of growth.
accounting finance tax