MCA is dedicated to the innovation and advancement of the industries it serves. As such, it has been involved in many joint efforts to analyze the current market and trends of a variety of industries. On top of that, MCA has published a collection of books: The Industrialization of Construction. To view the publications MCA has been apart of, please see the table below.

To see the latest Agile Construction® posts, click here.


 TitlePublisherAuthorDateFull DescriptionView
What Workforce Shortage?
The Problem Is in the Planning
CFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore & James Sullivan2022Prior to, and exaggerated by, COVID-19, the problem among the construction workforce has been described as a “shortage.” However, the construction industry has not changed how its skilled tradespeople perform the work that does not explicitly require their skill, knowledge, or experience, resulting in a stagnant $0.38 of labor cost for every $1 spent on construction while industrialized industries (farming, automotive, manufacturing, banking, etc.) experience $0.09 to $0.15 on the $1.Read
Managing the true costs of change ordersCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari & Phil Nimmo2022Change orders that are not proactively and properly
managed account for unanticipated productivity and job profitability losses. This article explains how detecting and avoiding the side effects of change orders can help prevent these losses. It also explores why construction financial professionals (CFPs) must recognize that change orders, once official, only cover the portion that the customer has initiated.
Read
Keeping an Eye on the Money:
Streamlining Data & Departments
CFMAJennifer Daneshgari, Dr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore
2022Who has a hand in your company’s financials? Do you
know where the money goes? Even though accounting
departments are not revenue-generating, their work
can be done more effectively with increased visibility
and processes that are designed to streamline the flow
of data and information among the field, office, and
project management.
Read
Rise of the MachinesEC&MTim Kridel2022In season 3 of the HBO series Westworld, robots are everywhere again, this time on construction sites. One model is George (Photo 1), whose skills include electrical and HVAC installation and site surveys.
“Dull, dirty, and dangerous no more,” says Delos, George’s manufacturer. “Delos’ fully autonomous androids are capable of a wide range of tasks with only limited human supervision required. Day or night, rain or shine, they work tirelessly to ensure the buildings around us are constructed faster and safer than ever before.”
Westworld is set sometime in the 2050s. Judging by today’s construction robots, George could be a reality by then. In fact, some of the marketing copy already sounds like George’s.
One example is Hilti’s Jaibot: “Overhead work for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installation is strenuous, challenging, and time-consuming for construction workers. With the industry experiencing a skilled labor shortage, taking good care of your workforce is now more
Read
Planning, Ordering and Receiving Fixture PackagesIECPhil Nimmo and Dr. Heather Moore2022Material issues have been on the rise, and fixture packages have been and continue to be one of the most difficult areas to manage,Read
The Secret to Better
Project Control: The pitfalls, benefits, and planning considerations
of a data-driven project closure process
EC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Sydney Parvin, MCA, Inc.2022In the information age, contractors can no longer operate by relying on subjective, reaction-based decision-making. To guide a project, manage risks, and make decisions effectively as a project team, data-driven methods must be a part of a contractor’s process of project management (Fig. 1). Successful projects result from applying project control throughout all four phases of a project: planning, procurement, installation, and closureRead
Gang Boxes – Making them come alive with Agile Intelligence™IEC, Insights MagazineDr. Heather Moore and Deanna O'Dell2022Gang Boxes have been around as long as construction sites, and their purposes have evolved to “store” whatever is needed at the site, mostly tools and material. About 10 years ago, we described the concept of a “Productivity Integration Center”, as a part of the future Industrialization of Construction®, (January, 2017, IEC Insights Magazine - The Winds of Change and the Event Horizon, 2013, IEC Insights Magazine - Industrialization of the Construction Industry, Wikipedia; Industrialization of Construction®, Industrialization of Construction® Series by Dr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore Book 1Read
Measuring and Improving Underbillings: A way to maximize your profitsEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Jennifer Daneshgari 2022Many of us live by and believe in the motto, “cash is king,” meaning that an overall positive cash flow will keep your business healthy and successful. Without positive cash flow, banks and other
financial institutions may not allow you
to continue to function.
Cash flow is often measured via a
cash conversion cycle. A long cash
conversion cycle (CCC) means you’re
funding jobs and even payroll from
your pocket. A shorter cash
Read
Article Ebook VMCADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2022• Industrialization of Construction® - Disruption

• Working with Data

• Measuring Productivity
Read here
The Key Responsibilities of
an Electrical Project Manager
EC&MDr. Heather Moore and Sydney Parvin2022In the traditional contractor model,
a project was bid, awarded, and
then thrown over the wall for the
tradesmen to handle, according to
“Optimized Operational Model for
Maximizing Electrical Contractor’s
Profitability” by Dr. Perry Daneshgari.
In more recent years, project managers
have taken on a stronger role to oversee
the operations of a project, manage
changes, and mitigate risks.
In today’s construction environment,
projects are happening at an even faster
pace, changes occur daily — sometimes
multiple times a day. Even a strong project
manager cannot effectively align
company resources for the project,
meet the demands of the general contractor
(GC), keep up with changes to
the drawings, help the field stay ahead
of the schedule, and deal with material
delays, all while also maintaining a
sense of ‘control’ over the project. Project
managers are stuck in a cycle of trying to
meet the needs of the project one email
at a time. In doing so, often become a
bottleneck between the project and the
company, making time for actual ‘management’
work sparse. To keep up with
the professional operational model, project
managers need tools and resources to
more effectively work with data, rather
than dealing with discrete events.
Project coordination is especially
important on construction projects where:
• Several different entities are involved
Read here
How Visible is Your
Pipeline and Backlog?
IECPhil Nimmo2022Construction contractors have been plagued with unique challenges when it comes to
financial projections and long-term planning. One of the most significant contributing
factors is the uncertainty that exists with future sales, not knowing what’s in the pipeline
until it’s time to do the work. The pipeline, and even backlog, for the construction
industry is a little bit of reality, a little bit of wishful thinking, and a whole lot of fudge
factors and estimates. Not just because the estimates themselves are often just a best
guess, based on history and not future realities, but also because once a contractor has
more than one person running work, facing the customer, keeping track of what’s been
committed, and what’s been bid is a nightmare.
Read here
Labor Overruns: How to
Measure & Manage for Peak Performance
CFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Jennifer Daneshgari2022Regarding the five steps of Industrial-ization of Construction®, this article focuses on the need for management of labor to predict project and company performance.1
Project Predictions
When looking back at a project’s profitability, did it equal what the team was expecting? And do you know why? Can you use that information to predict
Read more
The Construction Financial Management AssociationSupply Chain Disruption: Are You in the Construction or Logistics Business?CFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore and Phil Nimmo2021 This article will explain various procurement models, their advantages and disadvantages, and their requirements for success. Procurement Chain Models “Procurement Chain Management in the Construction Industry” (PCMCI) by MCA, Inc.1 shed light on the actual cost drivers of construction projects. As shown in Exhibit 1, this research investigated and modeled the various methods of procurement, including the comparative risks, costs, and benefits of each of the procurement models. However, as the current state of production still heavily relies on the skilled trades, some of these procurement models and behaviors may or may not apply to the construction industry.2Read more
PMs & CFMs: Increase Information-
Sharing to Improve Profitability
CFMADr. Perry Daneshgari , Dr. Heather Moore & Jennifer Daneshgari2021Mitigating Risk
Business risk, technical risk, and integration risk are inherent in every project. While integration risk is the most underestimated and least measured of the three types, it has the highest impact on the other two categories and contributes the most to project mismanagement, which leads to a higher project volatility and lower performance projection accuracy.
The PM’s role is to mitigate and make these risks visible. However, when PMs come from the field and/or
Read
How Will Working from Home
Catalyze Industrialization?
CFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2021Construction still strongly relies on the skilled trades
for its final installation and any information and feedback
leading up to that point, making physical presence
and interaction by the jobsite and field workforce
a requirement.
But in the aftermath of COVID-19, remote work will be accelerated. The
examples and methods provided in this article can help you down the path of
visibility to the work environment, which will lead to expanding the horizon
of prefabrication to be more than just building assemblies.
Read
Executive Research: Ensuring a Correct Match for Your Company’s FutureCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2021Every company that weathers the test of time will eventually require a replacement, succession, or enhancement to the founder, executive, leader, top-level manager, or the career path for top performers. Before getting to the point of promoting from within vs. hiring from outside, which both have risks and rewards, there are more steps and strategies needed to assure the smooth continuation of the company’s ecosystem.Read
Change Orders, A Curse Or A BlessingIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Heather Moore and Sydney Parvin2021Do change orders help or
hurt your job productivity
and profitability?
The perception of most project managers is
that they can make good money on change
orders (COs) due to higher profit margins
that can be charged for changes in project
scope. In reality this is a dangerous and
often a one-dimensional and misleading
perspective. Research and studies conducted
by MCA, NECA, universities, and other
associations indicate that contractors more
often end up with less money than expected
despite higher priced labor using NECA 1,
NECA 2, or sometimes even NECA 3 for their
labor units. How come we add more revenue
for new scope, and still lose profit?
Read
How Industrialized are You?
Measuring Your Company’s Progress
CFMADr. Heather Moore and Sydney Parvin2021Building on MCA, Inc.’s research and publications on the Industrialization of Construction®, including articles in CFMA Building Profits,2 this article will provide a framework for companies in construction to evaluate their progress along the trajectory of industrialization. This article will also review the impediments to moving forward and revisit the role of the CFO with examples on how they can support industrialization.
Industrialization of Construction®
Industrialization, which occurs in any industry that is skilled-trade-centric (such as agriculture, manufacturing, and now construction), happens when work is transferred from the tacit
Read
The Pitfalls of
Owner-Supplied Material
EC&MPhil Nimmo, MCA, Inc., Jennifer Daneshgari2021The name of the game in
construction is increasing productivity
and managing risk.
Risk, specifically in construction,
comes in many forms, and many
stakeholders attempt to manage it.
A current perception in the construction
industry is that owners/end-users
are dissatisfied with time, cost, and quality
on the job. Their diagnosis is that
there is an inefficient and costly procurement
chain. The proposed remedy is that
owners/end-users can manage risk and
improve time, cost, and quality on the
job by directly purchasing material and
removing the middlemen (e.g., the electrical
contractor).
Read
Invisible Decisions
What happens in the field on an electrical job site
is often not visible to management.
EC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Sydney Parvin, MCA, Inc.2021Construction projects call for
many decisions to be made
during and prior to the job’s
completion. For instance,
simple decisions must be made in response
to questions like:
• When and where should the material
be delivered?
• Do we need a few more people onsite
next week to help install luminaires,
or can our current crew handle the work?
These types of decisions are made
every day. While some may seem small
and insignificant, when you add them
up, they can determine a positive or
negative outcome of your project — and
the relationship your company has with
its customers.
Is it clear which person in your
organization is responsible for different
project-related activities? Which decisions
are made by electricians, and which
are left to the responsibility of project
managers, project admins, or other office
personnel?
Read
Invisible Decisions — Part 2
Identify the hidden decisions on an electrical job site to
help make data-driven improvements.
EC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Sydney Parvin, MCA, Inc.2021MCA’s last Job-Site Intelligence
column, published in the
April 2021 issue of EC&M,
examined the lack of visibility
when it comes to job-related issues
and decision-making in construction
projects. The article summarized the
extent of these issues, highlighting the
findings from Dr. Heather Moore’s 2013
doctoral thesis, Exploring Information
Generation and Propagation from the
Point of Installation on Construction Jobsites,
and pointing out that field personnel
experience twice as many obstructions in
performing their daily work as managers
realize. In this article, we offer stepby-
step guidelines for uncovering the
hidden issues that kill job productivity
and demoralize field personnel.
When problems arise on a job site,
many contractors simply rely on field
personnel to “make it work.” This can
lead to frustration and poor project outcomes.
On the other end of the spectrum
— and less often in construction — companies
sometimes adopt a behavior of
micromanagement. Rather than educate
personnel about which decisions can be
made onsite, they promote a culture with
a lack of autonomy in the field. This can
also negatively affect the project as well
as hinder communication flow between
the office and the field.
Read
EC&M logoHow to Maximize Your Money with Change OrdersEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Phil Nimmo2021Change orders, along with death and taxes, are certain in life. Throughout 30 years of working with hundreds of companies and projects, we have yet to find a single project that makes it to the end without a change order. However, all the studies conducted by our company, universities, and associations indicate that if change orders are not managed appropriately, they will actually cost more than priced — and are one of the main reasons for unanticipated productivity and job profitability losses.

Read more
Scientists Vs. Artist
The Quest for Replicating Success
IEC, Insights Magazine Dr. Heather Moore & Sonja Daneshgari, MCA INC.2021Do you sometimes wonder how it is possible that with
so much chaos and ever-changing requirements on the
job site, most of the jobs still make money? And then, on
the other hand, wonder why a great job ‘all of a sudden’
loses all its profit at the last 20% of completion?
Read
Modular ThumbnailThe Operational Model for Modular ConstructionCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2020In the modular and industrialized environment, the four steps of data quality management (DQM) – collecting, recording, reporting, and presenting – can help both accounting and operations more accurately predict and prevent construction risks. Tracking work, effort, time, and money as independently dependent variables is how other industries have moved to increased productivity and efficiencies.Read
Jobsite to Garage: Changing the Mindset of Prefab & Modular ConstructionCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2020As the construction industry continues to head toward industrialization, modular construction (or multi-trade prefabrication) is on the rise. How will your company keep up?
Given the current workforce challenges that require different skills and methods, especially as skilled tradesmen retire, this is the perfect time to amplify your company’s prefabrication efforts no matter how much you are (or are not) doing today.
Read
Industrialization article coverIndustrialization: Is Construction Next?CFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2020Like other industries that have gone through an industrial transition, it will be up to construction financial professionals to take the leadership role as the industry changes.Read
COVID-19: Another Tectonic Shift in Business Operation ModelsCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2020Disruptions to business operations are seldom as abrupt as COVID-19 and other comparable tectonic shifts such as World War II, the Oil Embargo, and September 11.
While modularization and the industrialization of the construction industry has been occurring for over two decades, the sudden arrival of COVID-19 will catapult the industry forward in ways we haven't seen before.
Read
The Ins and Outs Cover LetterThe Ins and Outs of Integrated Project DeliveryEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2020Why this multi-party method should, in theory, lead to better communication, collaboration, and lower costs than traditional approachesRead
Making Data Work for YouEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2020When it comes to electrical
construction projects, jobsite
intelligence implies a
level of knowledge. It is es -
sential to have that knowledge to express
wisdom in the process of project management
and eective decision making.
Knowledge is not inherited, and it is not
gifted. Knowledge is developed through
a well-defined hierarchy.
Read
Research and Investment Go Hand in HandELECTRIDr. Perry Daneshgari , Dr. Heather Moore2020ELECTRI values its strong partnerships with researchers and industry partners across the country. We are pleased to present this first interview and look forward to many more conversations.

For more than 20 years, MCA, Inc. has been involved with ELECTRI International, providing innovative research, construction industry expertise, and its own financial investment in the Foundation. From its start in the late 1980s, MCA has developed a positive reputation for its work, first with the automotive, aerospace, and healthcare industries. Today, close to 70% of its work is with the construction industry.

Article Ebook VOl IVMCADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2020This ebook is packed full of Agile Construction® related published articles on…

Disruption
Industrialization
Talent Development
Working With Data
Technology
Safety
Download your complimentary copy today.
Read
Five Keys article cover Five Keys to a Successful Project Handoff and StartupEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Sonja Daneshgari2019Everyone knows that if you plan work early, you will be more productive and profitable on a project. It’s also a well-known fact that it’s difficult to plan and run a construction job because of ever-changing job-site realities, which are often impossible to predict. However, based on MCA’s inhouse experience, research has shown that by using the fully integrated Work Environment Management® methodology every hour of planning can save up to 17 hours on job operations. The real question is: How can you successfully and realistically implement job planning before the job even starts?Read
Emerging LeadersEmerging LeadersIEC, Insights MagazinePhil Nimmo2019In January 2018 IEC published an article written by MCA with focus on the topic of recruiting workers (Recruiting for the Future, January 2018, Insights Magazine); hopefully by now you were able to successfully implement some of the concepts and it has satisfied your head count needs. The next step is of course to retain the best people that you have; the aspiring and capable leaders for your business. Offering more money is not always the solution. People are less motivated by money then what they want you to believe, and this is especially true of skilled workers. Money enables people to live a quality life, and to achieve a sense of financial security that is critical to success, but money is not a measure of success for most people. What we need in order to effectively retain our best skilled workers is to develop a business culture that recognizes and promotes those who desire an elevated career path. Your company needs to have an available career path for future leaders and a plan that allows them to navigate this path.Read
Construction Robots cover letterConstruction Robots: Are They for Real?EC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari, Dr. Heather Moore, Sonja Daneshgari2018Robots that do the work of an electrician on an actual job site? Flying drones that check on a project’s progress? Robots that lay bricks (see Photo). Is this for real? Technology is finally creating disruption in the construction arena. But how can this robot fantasy match up with today’s reality? This article provides a practical overview of what modeling and simulation may bring to electrical construction in the near future as well as presents a few examples ofRead
Paradox coverThe Paradox of Managing Large JobsIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2018Every electrical contractor dreams about “The Big Job.” The prestige and notoriety that come with it can springboard a company into growth, or at least provide a nice chunk of change in one fell swoop; or not. These jobs can also bring disastrous effects, worst of which is bankruptcy. The explosive nature of large jobs is what makes them difficult to manage. The amount of information and degrees of freedom to manage is exponential compared to a “normal” job. It becomes virtually impossible to fly by the seat-of-the-pants because the job cannot be managed with the traditional project management approaches. It requires using a data-driven approach to manage lead and lag indicators, and a company-wide team effort to support the job. No one project manager can do it alone, lest they become victim of the Killer Job that eats away all of the company’s profits for an entire year. Many project managers have tried, and somewhere mid-stream in the project, we have received a call/cry for help, to implement the principles and practices that are listed in this article.Read
Safety and Productivity coverSafety and Productivity: The Effects of Visibility and Planning on Safety RisksIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari, Dr. Heather Moore and Michelle Wilson2018Construction is a risky business. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 3 million hours per year are lost due to nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the electrical construction industry alone, and the construction industry as a whole represents over 20% of all jobsite fatalities.Read
IEC LogoRecruiting for the FutureIEC, Insights MagazinePhil Nimmo2018MCA, Inc and IEC have jointly prepared and distributed many articles in the past few years, and most of them focus on the shifting market and the demands that this places on business leaders. In addition to focusing on the business models and the business processes, we have to remain intently focused on the fact that our people have been and will continue to be the most critical component of our business success. It’s our people that serve our customers, that keep our promises and that follow the processes which ensure our profitability and future existence. Recruiting is what we do to ensure that the people we have on deck for tomorrow continue to excel and bring our business new success. Recruiting is much more than running a few ads and filtering through the candidates; recruiting is the entire process of motivating people to want to be a part of your team. Effective recruiting is effective motivation, so it never ends.Read
Good Economy CoverHow to Make Money in a Good Economy: PREPARING FOR THE NEXT RECESSIONIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2018The current economic cycle is the second longest expansion that our country has seen since the inception of economic growth measurement. The economy has been recovering since 2009 following the major recession of 2007-2008. While the economy has been expanding for the last nine years, some economists predict a slow-down or the next recession to begin around 2019 and onwards. Here at MCA Inc. working with our contractors we believe, based on the collective backlog and barring any major catastrophic events both naturally and socially that we may see the next slow down around 2022-2023. If there is a recession to follow, we don’t believe that it would hit until 2025.Read
Article Ebook VOl IIIMCADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2018This ebook is packed full of Agile Construction® related published articles on…

Transformation
Productivity
Profitability
Process
Procedures
Tools
Measurements
Download your complimentary copy today.
Read
The power of peer groups coverThe Power of Peer GroupsEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2017Every business starts with people doing things that they know how to do best. If what they do ends up being what the customer wants and is willing to pay for, then the business starts growing. In the Electrical Contracting business many contractors are able to do this by simply being good electricians, and it is very typical for the contractor to grow to be $ 2 to 5 million in a matter of a few years.Read
Work Breakdown Structure From The FieldIEC Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari, Dr. Heather Moore, Sonja Daneshgari2017How to break down the installation work to identify risks at the beginning of the jobRead
Winds of Change and the Event HorizonIEC Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2017The “Winds of Change” is a discussion surrounding Agile Construction®, and specifically leadership of an Agile business. Agile is a business model that is capable of adaptation to meet changing needs, both in the short term and in the long term. Short-term Agility surrounds the needs to recognize and meet the needs of customers and vendors at the project, division, and overall business levels, while still maximizing the available profit opportunity. This requires effectiveness and efficiency throughout the business system. Longterm Agility comes from leadership. Leadership must recognize and respond to changes in the business environment. These changes are detected by knowing what to watch for in the “wind.” Rapid detection and early action based on these “Winds of Change” is effective leadership and the only way to ensure Winds the long-term success of any business.Read
Robots: The Next Wave!IEC Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2017Advancements in robotic technology are being used in construction in two ways. First, savvy contractors are learning new ways to improve their existing labor’s productivity. Much like how Short Interval Scheduling (SIS®) helps contractors plan and schedule their labor's work each day and then all the obstacles that interrupt the planned work. In this case, advanced software and computer technology help identify the root cause of the interruptions on the job, allowing contractors to remove barriers early in their project and preserve or even improve profitability. The second way advancements in technology are used is to replace the time and effort of human activity with more consistent and predictable machinery.Read
Planning for a safe work environment coverPlanning For a Safe Working EnvironmentIEC Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2017Last year, we presented two separate articles on the topic of safety and the correlation between safety and productivity (“A Safe Job Site Is a Productive Job Site” [2016 May/June Insights] and “Predict & Prevent” [2016 Sept/Oct Insights]). We have already presented the data that shows “why” this connection is important to an electrical contractor, and we have already presented the information that explains “what” needs to be done in order to gather relevant information from the field. In this article, we will dive deeper into “how” to use critical business processes to alleviate the risk of safety-related issues before they occur. Not unlike quality and customer care, the safety of any job site starts with the board of directors. If the executives, manager, and supervisors think safety first, then the job sites will be safer.Read
Contracting is a great Small business coverContracting is a Great Small BusinessIEC Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari2017Best methods in how to set up and layout a contracting business.Read
Integrate apprentices coverHow to Integrate Apprentices SuccessfullyIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari, Dr. Heather Moore, Sonja Daneshgari2017The beauty of every young newcomer to any kind of trade or work is that he or she will not be bringing a lot “baggage” with them on “what the right way of doing something” is. This, in itself, can violate the structure and stability of a company’s processes. On the other hand, there is a lot of learning and training to be done, and if the teaching and guidance is not done correctly it can reduce the productivity of the whole team. Costly delays can occur by one newcomer not knowing the processes or lacking the necessary skills to do the job. Read
Green is goodGreen is Good, Green with Prefab is BetterIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari, Dr. Heather Moore, John Armitage2017As an increasing number of owners and jurisdictions adopt or specify Local, State, or International codes or standards for in support of Green Building options, strategies to cost effectively conform become increasingly vital for your organization. From the standpoint of a building’s or facility's total life-cycle cost and impact, Sustainable, Green, or Living Building design and construction can prove to be a viable option for lower total cost of ownership. The question becomes, do these methods necessarily imply greater cost of delivery? Yes and no. While materials, methods, and regulations may incur some higher costs, each phase of the project will have opportunities to better manage costs through skillful use of design, planning, and improved processes of project and resource management. When limits exist, innovation will provide success.Read
Measuring and Tracking Externalized Work to Support2016 MOC SummitDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore and Dr. Hisham Said2016The same principles that have made other skilled-trade-based industries more efficient are being deployed in construction through Industrialization, which requires understanding skilled trade work and segregating/externalizing the work from the jobsite. The construction industry still relies heavily on skilled trades and their tacit knowledge, while most of the information available at the points of installation is not passed on. A significant increase of work externalization requires a measuring and tracking method that can: 1) tap into this tacit knowledge as the basis for work planning and control; and 2) understand, quantify, and minimize the manipulation effort done onsite for the prefabricated assemblies. As such, this paper presents a planning and control framework for industrialized construction operations that integrates information entropy and the novel concept of work manipulations to monitor and measure the expected performance outcomes, in a more sophisticated approach beyond measuring “hours” and “quantities” of the work. The development of the proposed framework is based on the analysis of a set of case studies that illustrate the impact of information predictability manipulation strategies on construction prefabrication decisions.Read
Capitalizing of the market intelligence article cover letterCapitalizing on Market IntelligenceCE Construction ExecutiveDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016Winning battles requires good strategy and solid tactics. In a military setting, strategy builds on the mission and intelligence gathered about the terrain, enemy and conditions, while tactics translate this intelligence into a plan of action. In construction, contractors build their strategy on market data that illustrates trends, shifts and projections. his intelligence can lead to...Read
Partnering article coverPartnering With Distributors for EfficiencyConstruction ExecutiveDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016Construction industry members often assume all the tasks performed on a job site are necessary, and therefore firms focus on improving those tasks to improve the efficiency of the project. However, this assumes the tasks being performed represent the best way of completing the work. In reality, a company can perform a value-losing task very efficiently. Efficiency is output, whereas effectiveness is the goodness of output or the actual outcome.Read
Ramifications article projectThe Real Ramifications of ReworkEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016Rework impacts the productivity of a project at least three times over. The logic is simple: First you spend time to do the task, and then you have to redo the task, wasting the time that you could have spent doing something else. In the end, rework has 300% negative impact on the productivity of that task. So, for example, if your rework is an average of 10% of the total work completed on the job, then its impact on the job is wasting 30% of the labor.Read
Project Manager Article CoverWhat it takes to be a Project ManagerIEC Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016Say your boss, the owner or CEO of the electrical firm you work for came to you with some exciting news. He offered you a 500,000 hour job to manage. Of course your boss was excited. The job he just handed over to you will bring in approximately $65 million over the next 4 years. You, on the other hand, although excited, were shaking in your boots just thinking about it. In the past twenty or so years of working for this firm and the three firms before it, the largest job you ever managed was 200,000 hours and you almost lost your shirt.Read
Expert in multiple marketsExpert in Multiple MarketsIEC Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016So you’ve cut your teeth, and made a name for yourself by carving out your own special niche in your local market. You’re now known as the go to contractor for your specialty and it’s taken years for you to achieve that stature. You’ve watched the market fall and weathered the storm. Now you’ve been paying attention to the market around you, and while it’s coming back you have a feeling the market is shifting and not coming back in areas that have been strong holds in the past. You’re suspicious that other markets are taking off, but aren’t sure they are worth pursuing.Read
Safe Jobsite article cover letterA Safe Jobsite is a More Productive JobsiteIEC Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016A safe job site is a productive job site. Any injury on the job site not only eliminates the injured worker’s output, but also affects other workers’ performance while they attend to the injured worker and afterward. Safety is not only economical but also is an emotional issue on any job site. Few processes and tools assure both safety and productivity simultaneously. Agile Construction®, which is based on the application of ASTM Standard E2691 was developed with productivity and safety in mind over twenty years ago.Read
IEC LogoThe Great Idea SwapIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016Over one hundred attendees from twenty-two companies were represented at MCA’s annual symposium (Fig 1). Attendees included owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and distributors. Contractors in attendance varied from electrical to mechanical, and included all stakeholders from executive management to foremen. They all collaborated on topics on increasing productivity and profitability within the construction industry. The group addressed three core concepts during the symposium:Read
IEC LogoTeaching the Newcomers How to Manage TimeIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016According to the online Cambridge dictionary the ol’ cliché “you can’t teach old dogs new tricks,” is said to mean that it is very difficult to teach someone new skills or to change someone's habits or character. With over 20 years of research in the field, MCA Inc. finds this definition to be true in just about every industry, and especially holds true in construction.Read
IEC LogoPredict & Prevent: Using Company Processes and Feedback from the Source to Reduce Safety RiskIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016Most electrical contractors (EC) would tell you that “safety is a top priority.” In fact, many institute company-wide safety programs that include training, procedures, and documentation, and they focus from top to bottom on safety. Construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in terms of safety, as the national level safety data and trends indicate. So, how is it that ECs have come so far in training and focus on safety yet we still are left with incidents and accidents?Read
Avoiding killer jobs coverAvoiding Killer Jobs with Better AccuracyIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016“Killer jobs,” we’ve all heard of them, or maybe even been unfortunate enough to have been involved in one. It’s these jobs that can single-handedly make the difference in a year-end profit or detrimental loss. And most result in tarnished relationships with employees, customers, and vendors. Sometimes bringing companies to their knees.Read
Article Ebook VOl IIMCADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016This ebook is packed full of Agile Construction® related published articles on…

Transformation
Productivity
Profitability
Process
Procedures
Tools
Measurements
Download your complimentary copy today.
Read
Measuring and tracking article coverMeasuring and Tracking Externalized Work to Support Industrialized ConstructionMOCDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016Until recently, the construction industry has suffered a technology bypass, relying on centuries-old processes and procedures to manage complex projects. Today, however, the same principles and applications that have made other skilled-trade-based industries more efficient are being deployed in construction through Industrialization, which happens with five steps: (1) Management of Labor (2) Management of Work (3) Lean Operations (4) Simulation and Modeling (5) Feedback from the SourceRead
Bottom-Up Risk Management Article CoverBottom-Up Risk ManagementPM Network, PMIDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016Most projects carry the highest risk in the area of integration—bringing together all the required components necessary to produce the final product or service in a timely, cost-effective manner and with expected quality.Read
Organizational Article CoverOrganizational Transformation Through Improved Employee EngagementStrategic HR ReviewDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2016The purpose of this paper is to help businesses understand that as markets change, the way a company does business also must change to stay competitive in their industry. A company needs to know their share of the market to develop strategies to stay competitive and survive. This case study takes you through a successful company’s recognition and transformation involving all aspects of the organization. Cross-functional teams were developed to improve existing processes and develop new ones, as well as educate their people along the way.Read
Hardt Electric Article CoverHardt ElectricUS Builders ReviewTom Faunce2016When David Hardt was elected president-elect of NECA in 2013, Peter stepped up and became chief operating officerof Hardt Electric. “At that same time, we began working with MCA, a consulting firmout of Flint, Michigan, to instill the Agile Construction Process (AGC) into our firm,”says David. “We’ve had a lot of exciting transitional elements happening here in the past few years with me becoming president of NECA, Peter taking over the leadership and instituting a new management process.”Read
Prefabrication Article CoverPrefabrication Increases ProductivityBuilding & ConstructionDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2015Prefabrication is really a misnomer for what is happing in the industry. It’s not prefabrication that is happening, but rather separation of production from installation. Most find there’s no longer a choice to participate in productivity improving activities to improve time, cost and quality of the construction project delivery.Read
Reduce labor article coverReducing Labor Waste With Short Interval SchedulingConstruction ExecutiveDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2015Labor waste is a negative term from both workers’ and managers’ perspectives.They agree waste should not exist, but they deine it diferently.Read
Financial Implications Article CoverrFinancial Implications of VMI for Electrical Contractors and Their Distribution PartnersConstruction ExecutiveDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2015Contractors and distributors achieve top performance by minimizing both their variable and mixed costs through error reduction, process improvement and customer awareness.Read
Applying Scalable Prefabrication to Industrial Construction WorkConstruction ExecutiveDr. Perry Daneshgari & Dr. Heather2015The industrialization of construction is upon us. It is no longer a choice to participate in productivity-enhancing activities to improve the time, cost and quality of construction project delivery. Prefabrication is only the stepping stone in the application of industrialization through agile construction, the precursor of lean in construction. Please view theRead
Partnering with Electrical Distributors for Improved EfficiencyEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2015Industrialization begins with management of labor and work, including identifying who should do what, when, and where. In other words, it doesn’t all have to be done on site as the schedule suggests. Using vendors to support the work — not just sell material — is one way to accomplish this.Read
Eiffel LogoThe CEO’s Role in Information ManagementEiffel Trading CompanyDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2015Often we believe that processes and information management will happen by themselves – but they don’t. Each company’s products and services are a direct reflection of its management’s commitment to time, cost and quality, as well as their customers, employees, communities and owners or shareholders.Read
Electri Newsletter coverElectri Newsletter - 5/2015Electri InternationalElectri International2015ELECTRI Launches Series on Industrialization ELEC TRI International has released the first in a series of four white papers on topics pertaining to the Industrialization of the Construction Industry. MCA Inc., under the leadership of Dr. Perry Daneshgari, President/CEO, is producing this series for ELECTRI. Book One - Here and Now is available from ELECTRI. The three subsequent texts will include Benefits from Globalization & Industrialization, Foundation and Future, and Efficiency and Continuous Improvement. These will be produced and released from 2015 to 2017.Read
Electri Newsletter coverElectri - NECA PresentationElectri InternationalElectri International2015ELECTRI International has forged strong partnerships with its Council members. At the recent NECA Convention, Dr. Heather Moore, MCA Inc. Dr.Heather Moore, Vice President - Operations for MCA Inc., presented two classes on Prefabrication and one session on Utilizing and Managing a Lesser Skilled Workforce. Both topics are directly connected to ELECTRI research. In the presentation on Prefabrication in Electrical Construction, Dr. Moore explained that Prefab is not just about building and assembling; it is looking for ways to externalize work®, which very often the field workforce does not recognize until they create a Work Breakdown structure.Read
Impact of Prefabrication article coverImpact of Prefabrication on Industrial Construction WorkInsights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2015Prefabrication is no longer a standalone approach to construction decided only by the “shop foreman” or “our prefab catalog.”Read
MCA LogoProcess of Project ManagementMCAMCA, Inc.2015A critical part of the Agile process is the Process of Project Management (PoPM). Your agility as a contractor is strengthened by employing a standardized Process of Project Management.Read
MCA LogoMCA-Soft Product UpdatesMCAMCA, Inc.2015MCA, Inc. has been hard at work developing a NEW process for data entry out in the field. That's right; a complete mobile app designed specifically for filling out your SIS® form and automatically uploading them straight from the jobsite right from your iPad or iPhone.Read
MCA LogoComposite Crew RateMCAMCA, Inc.2015Improve your competitiveness by reducing labor costs, without reducing wages. How can you reduce labor costs without reducing wages? You have two knobs to turn: improving productivity, and reducing composite rate.Read
Article Ebook VOl IMCADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2015This ebook is packed full of Agile Construction® related published articles on…

Transformation
Productivity
Profitability
Process
Procedures
Tools
Measurements
Download your complimentary copy today.
Read
How to Increase market share article coverHow to Increase Your Market ShareConstruction Subcontractors’ Monthly MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2014Like many other industries, construction is going through constant change to keep up with the new market realities have its new challenges, especially for large cities, which historical have been the strong hold of union contractors.Read
Slow and Steady Article CoverSlow and SteadyConstructorJackson, Sheryl S.2014A concern throughout the industry is availability of construction workers if there is a signifi cant upturn in construction spending.Read
Is Prefabrication Making you money? Article coverIs Prefabrication Making You Money?EC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2014Like many other industries, construction is going through constant change to keep up with market demands. Industrialization and globalization of the construction design, procurement, and build process has forced more and more contractors to adopt prefabrication and vendormanaged inventory processes and programs.Read
Manage you job using WBS article coverHow to Manage Your Job Using Work Breakdown StructureIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2014Construction Productivity has historically lagged other industries in productivity, which until it is correctly measured, it cannot be improved.Read
MCA LogoWBS - Work Breakdown StructureMCAMCA, Inc.2014When faced with a job having the typical complexity of a large construction job, it can be a daunting task to see the whole picture. But fortunately, there is a simple tool available to help: Work Breakdown Structure, or WBS.Read
MCA LogoSIS® - Foreman's Tool to Diagnose Daily Work ObstaclesMCAMCA, Inc.2014The construction job site is so fluid that unpredictable obstacles occur almost every day. To stay prepared for these obstacles, daily kick-off meetings and look-ahead schedules become increasingly important for field personnel (project manager, foremen, and crew leaders).Read
JPAC Article CoverPrinciples of Job Productivity Assurance and Control (JPAC®)***MCADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2014Job productivity has historically been measured from the accounting perspective.This method of measurement has alienated the labor; as a result the outcome is data that is not useful.Read
MCA LogoJPAC® Change OrdersMCAMCA, Inc.2014As we all know, the jobsite is constantly changing. These changes can invoke anything from additions to the initial scope of work to unforseen obstacles.Read
MCA LogoAgile Construction - SIS®MCAMCA, Inc.2014SIS® (Short Interval Scheduling) helps track the obstacles that affect productivity.Read
Construction job productivity article coverConstruction Job Productivity ManagementASTMASTM2013As the saying goes, time is money.That’s true for many projects, construction and otherwise, and measurement can lead to process improvements and resulting savings. But how do you decide what to measure and how to measure so that you can make process improvements and reduce costs?Read
Industrialization of the construction industry article coverThe Industrialization of Construction®Dassault - WhitepaperDr. Perry Daneshgari2013Commissioned by Dassault Systemes and prepared by MCA Inc., this whitepaper focuses on industrialization of construction industry. It maps out the construction industry challenges, relates the history of industrialization in the manufacturing industry, and summarizes five critical aspects and approaches. Download the whitepaper and start accelerating the “Industrialization of the Construction Industry” through lessons learned from manufacturing and other industries.Read
What Changes to FASB Requirements Will Mean to Electrical ContractorsEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2013Most recently, in the 2010 Exposure Draft of FASB’s proposal 605, the Board proposed a comprehensive revenue recognition model for both U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and international financial reporting standards (IFRS), stating that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be exchanged for those goods or services.Read
Making Labor Costs article coverMaking Labor Cost Reduction a RealityEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2013In addition to the measurement and improvement of productivity, reducing the cost of building can also come from reducing the composite labor cost.Read
Gang Box management article coverGang Box ManagementEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2013According to inhouse research from MCA, up to 5% of an electrical laborer’s time could be spent looking for tools and materials on the job site.Read
Integrated building management article cover Electrical Contractor Power and Integrated Building SystemsECMECM2013There is nothing new about the general notion of prefabrication. Zhang Yue and other innovators may be adding new technology to it, but it has been around for centuries.Read
IEC LogoIndustrialization of the Construction IndustryIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2013The quality of life for every American relies on the products of the U.S. construction industry. The construction industry accounts for between 4 to 7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually in the United States over the past 10 years and employs 5 to 9 million workers or 3 to 6 percent of the total U.S. workforce. But such a key industry is under constant pressure to improve productivity, reduce cost, and minimize waste in the operation. While the productivity in the manufacturing industry has improved by 400 percent over the last century, the construction industry’s productivity has, in the best case, stayed flat or turned negative.Read
Thinking outside the box article coverThinking Outside the Electrical BoxNew Jersey BusinessBirritteri, Anthony2013How IBEW Local 102 strives to make members and contractors succeed.Read
Application of ASTM E2691 Standard Practice for Job Productivity MeasurementASTMDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2012This comprehensive manual describes the user’s experience with ASTM E2691, Standard Practice for Job Productivity Measurement (JPM). This manual includes individual efficiencies of labor and other resources, general contractor vs. subcontractor models, scheduling, planning, jobsite flow, on-site correction to reduce waste, and case studies.Read
New productivity article coverNew Productivity Measurement StandardCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2012Construction Productivity has historically lagged other industries in productivity, which until it is correctly measured, it cannot be improved.Read
The Construction Financial Management AssociationJourney of TransformationCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2012The journey of transformation is as much of a reward as the destination. Then, once a company crosses the transformation bridge, the goal becomes continuous improvement.Contact publications@cfma.org to read
Advice from a CFO article coverIn the Trenches: Real-life advice from a CFO who led transformationCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2012How a construction contractor transformed itself from a contracting shop to a vibrant, viable and good place to work business.Read
EC&M logoMastering the Electrical Work on a Mega ProjectEC&MDaneshgari, P.;Moore, H.,Werner, J.,Warwick, B2012Imagine being given the task of managing a 500,000-hour job scheduled to take place over the course of four years. Most contractors and electricians would jump for joy if they landed a project of this magnitude. An undertaking of this scope, however, carries with it a myriad of challenges and complexities.Read
How to Thrive in a Tough EconomyEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2012Practical tips for making money and satisfying the customer during tough economic timesRead
EC&M logoMeasuring Productivity in ConstructionEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2011The construction market has a new standard for measuring job productivity. The American Society of Testing and Materials International (ASTM) recently adopted a new standard for measuring construction productivity at task, project, and industry levels. The new standard (ASTM E2691-09) is a fast-paced and real time measurement of productivity, which relies on true input from the field for measuring construction put in place — and reflects on any gains or losses of productivity instantaneously.Read
Application of the New ASTM Standard for Job Productivity Measurement in ConstructionIEC InsightsDr. Daneshgari2011The American Society of Testing and Materials International (ASTM) has recently adopted a new standard for measuring construction productivity at task, project, and industry levels.Read
Construction Productivity article coverConstruction ProductivityThe Engineering Society of Detroit InstituteESD2011Identifying the Opportunities for Advancing the Competitiveness, Efficiency and Productivity of the Michigan Construction IndustryRead
Sharpen Work measured article coverNew Method Tested To Sharpen Work MeasureENRBuckley, Bruce2010Large contractors are putting a new standard for productivity measurement to the test in the hope of producing better project process controls.Read
Diversifying your business article coverDiversify your Electrical BusinessLowe'sCurley, Clare.2010Today’s economy leaves electricians little choice but to explore new markets.Read
Develop your strategic plan  article coverDevelop Your Strategic PlanLowe'sMulligan, J.2010You may not like looking into the future beyond jobs you already have secured, but someone has to do the planning for your business. A strategic plan will help you achieve your goals and prepare you for industry changes.Read
The secret to short interval scheduling article coverThe Secret to Short Interval SchedulingEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2009According to a multi-year nationwide survey conducted by MCA, job-site delays are a common complaint among contractors across the countryRead
Putting prefab into perspective Putting Prefab into PerspectiveEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari, Dr. Heather Moore, Phil Nimmo2009The impact of prefabrication on productivity and profitability, as well as its effect on electrical estimation, was the topic of roundtable discussions at this year's MCA spring and fall electrical contractors' symposiums held in Omaha, Neb., and San Diego.Read
EC&M logoHow to Increase your Profits by More than 30% by applying Short Interval SchedulingEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2009Find out why this project management strategy boosts productivity and reduces job-site delays in the field for electrical contractorsRead
EC&M logoCustomer Positioning Tips for Electrical ContractorsEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2009Customer positioning and control (CPAC®) method helps electrical contractors examine the quality of production by identifying the demands placed on an organization’s resources relative to the value producedRead
Productivity is key article coverProductivity is Key to ProfitabilityENRDaneshgari, P.2009Recently, Lean Construction has been celebrated as the new fad among construction-management gurus. In reality, it is not the leanness of the construction that matters but rather its agility and responsiveness to change.Read
National convention article cover52nd Annual National Convention Highlights (IEC)IEC, Insights MagazineGraybar2009This year's keynote speaker, Dr. Perry Daneshgari, an expert in the field of construction management, lit up St. Louis with his information-rich presentation.Read
Layoffs to a minimum article coverKeeping Layoffs to a MinimumMDMStelton-Holtmeier, J.2009Distributors increase focus on effi ciencies, cuts beyond the work forceRead
Competitiveness and efficiency article coverAdvancing the Competitiveness and Efficiency of the U.S. Construction IndustryNational Research Council if the National AcademiesCommittee on Advancing the Competitiveness and Productivity of the U.S. Construction Industry, National Research Council2009Construction productivity--how well, how quickly, and at what cost buildings and infrastructure can be constructed--directly affects prices for homes and consumer goods and the robustness of the national economy. Industry analysts differ on whether construction industry productivity is improving or declining. Still, advances in available and emerging technologies offer significant opportunities to improve construction efficiency substantially in the 21st century and to help meet other national challenges, such as environmental sustainabilityRead
EC&M logoReal Ways to Reduce Material Handling CostsEC&MDr. Heather Moore, Phil Nimmo2008Form a partnership with your distributor to gain a competitive advantageRead
EC&M logoImproving Estimation AccuracyEC&MDr. Heather Moore, Phil Nimmo2008Estimating without historic data is like operating without long-term memory. Find out how to avoid killer jobs and increase accuracy in the processRead
Track to WIPTrack the WIPECMDr. Perry Daneshgari, Phil Nimmo & S. Shabander2008Work-in-progress report helps monitor and manage cash flowRead
How to be productive article coverDoes Your Labor Know How to Be Productive?ECMDr. Perry Daneshgari, Michelle Wilson2008As an electrical contractor or a project manager, the million-dollar question is “How do I get the guys to be more productive?”Read
Accounting on the Job article coverThe Impact of Accounting on Job Management & ProductivityCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari, Michelle Wilson2007Accounting's contribution to operations has been repeatedly validated in many industries.Read
EC&M logoMaking Sense of Shifting MarketsEC&MDr. Perry Danesgari, Michelle Wilson2007Missing a market shift may mean losing it entirely. As the electrical construction market changes, contractors must learn how and when to shift gearsRead
Impact on Contractors article coverDistributor's Impact on Contractors ProfitabilityECMDr. Perry Daneshgari, Michelle Wilson2007Electrical Distributors provide the essential connection between manufacturers and the owners and specialty contractors.Read
Agile Construction Profitability The Profitability of Agile Construction®CFMADr. Perry Daneshgari, Michelle Wilson2006Using Agile Construction®, you can adapt to change, react to jobsite changes rapidlly, complete projects efficiently, and capture more profit.Read
Shifting Markets article coverShifting MarketsElectrical ContractorDr. Perry Daneshgari, Michelle Wilson2006System productivity can help recover market shareRead
planning on profits article coverThe Impact of Job Planning on ProfitsCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari, Michelle Wilson2005Every CEO, CFO, PM, and foreman intuitively knows that planning improves production. However, until now, no one knew why planning helped – or how much.Read
Customer positioning article coverCustomer positioning model for ContractorsCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari, Michelle Wilson2005Some customers contribute more to the bottom line than others. Some projects are more profitable. Some subcontractors are more efficient.Read
procurement article coverProcurement Management in the Electrical Contracting IndustryElectrical ContractorDr. Perry Daneshgari, Michelle Wilson & Phil Nimmo2005Supply Chain Horizontal Integration (SCHI): An alternative, low cost approach to supply chain management.Read
Imporving system productivity article coverOperational Model for Improving System Productivity of Distributors ****MCADr. Perry Daneshgari, Frank Murdock 2005Distribution in specialty contracting is facing a fork in the road in its role in the supply channel.Read
Management in the construction industry article coverProcurement Management in the Construction IndustryNAEDDaneshgari, P; Harbin, S.2003Changes in customer expectations in the construction industry regarding project delivery, time, cost, and quality have forced the stakeholders to search for new operational models.Read
Helping distributors article coverHelping Distributors Inrease ProfitabilityNAED - DirectDr. Perry Daneshgari2003Profitability is a growing concern as the recession of the early 21st century has caused declining sales for distributors.Read
Distributor profitability article coverBuilding a "how to" for distributor profitabilityNAED - DirectDaneshgari, P; Olmstead, B.2003NAED Foundation research updateRead
Vehicle developmentLearning Based Total Vehicle DevelopmentSociety of Automotive Engineers, Inc.Dr. Perry Daneshgari & Larry Fletcher2002The complex task of Total Vehicle Development (TVD) has been a major challenge for automobile developers since its inception. The current approach to TVD is primarily resource based planning and execution. General Motors’ Vehicle Engineering, with the help of MCA, has developed a fresh new approach to TVD. The new TVD approach is a planning and execution philosophy that is focused on learning and prioritizing the learning. In this paper, the authors will explain the fundamental philosophical and technical differences between the two approaches and illustrate the advantages of the new approach. The new approach relies heavily on usage of: 1. Zero Based Learning 2. Risk Prioritization and Sequencing 3. Mathematical Models and Problem Solving 4. Rapid Learning Cycles 5. Rapid Engineering Prototyping This paper will describe the scientific application of Learning Based Total Vehicle Development. It will show examples of planning and execution, which will enable the product developing organizations to use the existing knowledge and reduce risk of new uncertainties.Read
Power of partnering article coverThe Power of PartneringElectrical ContractorJim Mahaffie1998Read
reducing development timeMethod and system for reducing development time of complex systems utilizing correlation matricesUnited States PatentDr. Perry Daneshgari1998A method and system for reducing development time of a complex system such as an automobile engine utilizing correlation matrices are provided.Read
The principles of scientific management The Principles of Scientific ManagementTaylor, Fredrick W.1910The Principles of Scientific ManagementRead
How Can You Best Support
Your Project Managers?
IEC, Insights MagazineSydney Parvin and Jennifer Daneshgari2022Who do you depend on in your company to
‘deliver the job’ on time, with quality, and at
or below cost? Typically, the answer to that
question is the project manager. It’s likely
your company has the strong ones… and the
not-as-strong ones. How can you tell them
apart? And more importantly, when in the
job do you recognize which is which? How
can your organization ensure consistent
results independent of the differences in
skill sets?
Read
2022 Industrilization Update:
Evidence & Projections
CFMA Building ProfitsDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2022This article provides an update
on where the industry stands with
industrialization — including metrics,
supporting standards, and specific
examples and evidence — and covers the novel approach of Integrated
Material Logistics Solutions (IMLS®),
which is beginning to gain traction
among a few suppliers and will be
required to get to the true construction
megacenter approach (as introduced in
“Industrialization: Is Construction Next?”
from the January/February 2020 issue1
).
To see where your company stands,
take the Industrialization Litmus Test at
forms.gle/9P9dMkXY63Xp7bh1A
Read here
Are Preventers the Real Heroes? Preventing Risk Pragmatically With DataCFMA Building ProfitsDr. Heather, Dr. Meik Daneshgari and Sonja Daneshgari2021Risk is a risky subject. The term itself carries an
abstract meaning and ambiguity for those trying to
manage it. The definitions of risk, which all relate to
probability and uncertainty, converge to what CFMs
might call “lack of control of the projected outcome.”
In construction, every CEO, CFO, and executive VP
all the way down to project managers (PMs) and field
personnel in a construction company manage risk at
their own level.
Read here
Congratulations. You Were Awarded the Contract!
(Now What?!) Account for Your Pre-Contract Changes
IEC, Insights MagazineDr. Heather Moore & Jennifer Daneshgari2023Have you ever received a contract and not
been certain if the amount in the contract
lines up with your bid? It happens and
it’s happened to nearly everyone reading
this article. How can that be? It happens
because things change quickly during
the estimating process. Drawings change,
there are last minute negotiations, material
substitutions, profit margin cuts in some
areas to hit targets, and scope of work
changes from being self-performed to
being subcontracted or split out between
companies. What is the best way to manage
these changes? Is there help out there?
Read here
Why Paying Attention to Branch Circuit Work on Electrical Jobs Is So ImportantEC&MPhil Nimmo and Dr. Heather Moore2023Having a "don't sweat the small stuff" attitude can cost you, especially when it comes to the often overlooked impact of branch circuits on a job.Read here
The Evolution of PrefabricationEC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2023How this concept has gone from criticism to skepticism to industry standard in the construction market.Read here
Founder’s Transition:
The Time Is Now
CFMA Building ProfitsDr. Perry Daneshgari 2023Companies start with people, function through people, thrive through their culture, and survive
through their adaptation to the zeitgeist — the defining spirit or mood of a particular period
of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time. The pain of separation and the
anxiety experienced during the loss of a leader is very much like the five stages of grief; however,
the organization and its departing founder can plan to avoid that pain and anxiety.
Read here
What Your Daily Job Reports are MissingIEC, Insights MagazineDr. Heather Moore & Sydney Parvin2023What are Daily Job Reports?
Many contractors use some form of a
daily job report as a standard way of
documenting project activities and issues
across their projects.
These reports are often completed by the
field lead onsite to provide an update on
what was worked on, if any issues came up
throughout the day, and to note specific
safety hazards. They also may be used
for timekeeping purposes or to verify
subcontractor / equipment present on the
jobsite. Daily job reports typically include
the following information:
• Project Name / Location
• Foreman / Supervisor
• Activities worked on
• Payroll information (Shift start time & end
per person)
• Subcontractor onsite (Manpower)
• Equipment
• Issues
• Safety Hazard/ Corrective Action
Read here
Using Data to Increase
Job-Site Efficiency
EC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2023veryone likes order, predictability,
and a stable environment.
However, electrical professionals
all know that is further from
reality in any job site today than you
can imagine. You like to have order, but
you’re not always willing to pay the price
for it. MCA Inc.’s Dr. Perry Daneshgari
mentions in his lectures to the industry,
“Chaos is the norm, and order is
the exception.” Obstacles are plentiful
on construction job sites. The chaos on
the job sites is created due to a multitude
of degrees of freedom that have to line
up for the building to be built.
In addition to the job-site chaos,
electricians face obstacles daily in
Read here
Reducing Lost Labor Hours on Electrical Job Sites - Podcast #23EC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2023In Episode 23, Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson dives into the topic of how to reduce lost labor hours on electrical construction job sites with a panel of experts and contractors: Dr. Perry Daneshgari, CEO and president, and Dr. Heather Moore, vice president of customer care and support, from MCA Inc.; Neil Davidson, executive vice president of Commonwealth Electrical Company of the Midwest; and Rich Shumway, general manager for Wilcox Electric. For more information, read “How to Reduce Lost Labor Hours on Electrical Construction Projects” by Freelancer Tim Kridel, which was the cover story for our February 2023 print issue. Listen here
Breaking the Mold: A Nonlinear Approach to Construction Financial ProjectionsCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2023The role of a financial professional in construction is different than in any other industry. Managing the financial inputs, throughputs, andRead here
Reducing the Impact of Poor Job-Site Conditions
Inferior site conditions on construction projects impact labor, morale, productivity, and quality of installation.
EC&MDr. Heather Moore & Sydney Parvin2023Contractors may be accustomed to dealing with just about anything on the job. Worse-than-expected job conditions can be overlooked or overshadowed by even bigger problems. As a result, poor job-site conditions can unknowingly create safety risks, impact the morale of on-site workers, decrease productivity, prolong the schedule, and ultimately increase costs.Read here
Read hereThe Benefits of Vendor-Managed Inventory on Job SitesEC&MPhil Nimmo & Sydney Parvin2023Let’s start this discussion by defining VMI. The simple translation is VMI stands for vendor managed inventory, but what does that mean, and how should that help you?Read here
Breaking the Mold: A Nonlinear
Approach to Construction
Financial Projections
CFMADr. Perry Daneshgari, Dr. Heather Moore, and Jennifer Daneshgari2023The role of a financial professional in construction is different than in any other industry.
Managing the financial inputs, throughputs, and outputs in construction are complicated
by the unpredictable nature of the source data.
Read here
Why MCA? Real Results, Predictable Profits
Get to Know IEC’s Exclusive Provider of Tools, Support, and Tracking
Solutions for Overall Project Productivity and Short Interval Scheduling
IEC, Insights MagazineDr. Heather Moore & Phil Nimmo2023Has your company ever implemented
software with the following results:
1. Using the software actually put money on
your bottom line
2. Using the software built a bridge to
connect the office and the field
3. You can predict project outcomes months
ahead of your financials
4. You have company-wide performance
data to inform what work you go after,
and how tight your estimates can be
without adding risk
Read here
Are Your PMs Ready, Willing &
Able to Be Held Accountable?
CFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2023Often entrusted to run multimillion-dollar projects and serving as the link between the office
and the field, project managers (PMs) are essentially depended on to run a small business.
As PMs take on bigger projects, they are expected to have stronger financial skills. For example,
a project that generates 10% gross profit but takes 10 months to collect payment can break
even or hurt a company’s cash flow.
Read here
Job Porosity: Identifying
the Risk Factors for Project
Financial Outcomes
CFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2023Every project has associated risks at the onset of project start up. These risks can be divided into
three categories: business, technical, and integration. Most of the risks, which show up during
the project’s life cycle, will not be known at the estimating and handoff stages of the project.
Read here
Synchronous Modeling:
Including BIM in the
Project Schedule
CFMADr. Perry Daneshgari, Dr. Heather Moore & Phil Nimmo2023The evolution of work and performance in every industry is tightly related to technology and
its application. Centralization (when the skills are needed in one location for finishing the
products), decentralization (when the technology allows parts and products to be produced
away from the point of installation), and recentralization (when communication between
Read here
Using Data to Increase
Job-Site Efficiency
EC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2023Everyone likes order, predictability,
and a stable environment.
However, electrical professionals
all know that is further from
reality in any job site today than you
can imagine. You like to have order, but
you’re not always willing to pay the price
for it. MCA Inc.’s Dr. Perry Daneshgari
mentions in his lectures to the industry,
“Chaos is the norm, and order
Read here
Managing Schedule
Changes on the Job Site
EC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari 2021As with any job site, the main
crux of issues usually revolves
around the general contractor
(GC) schedule or lack thereof.
An overall project schedule is usually
produced prior to the job starting and
passed on to all the respective trades,
who then plan their work accordingly.
As the project progresses, impacts and
issues start popping up on a weekly or even
daily basis. Areas are not ready as scheduled
Read here
Transforming Construction: AI's Role in Building the FutureCFMADr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2023With each new challenge in process or technology, apprehension from users challenges the need to adapt their current methods and proccesses. When technology replaces as existing method of process, it is onlyRead
Measuring the Cost
Benefits of Prefabrication
EC&MPhil Nimmo and Jim Ford,2023Prefabrication in construction is a very broad topic. As such, it covers many different areas. Regardless of how much prefab work you are doing, where you are doing it, or who is doing it, the one common fact is that everyone struggles to see how prefab saves them money — and how much money it saves them. So, here’s a simple way to quickly recognize and measure the benefit of prefabricationRead
Combating Construction's Biggest Time-Wasters
EC&MDr. Perry Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2024Productivity, like any other word, is very often left to interpretation of the user. Unless it’s clear what it is supposed to represent, it could be a very confusing means of measurement. Definitions of productivity can relate to economic factors or individuals. An inquiry in any search engine will result in something like:Read
Using Business Software to
Manage Your Manpower Needs
How far can you see ahead to determine job-site requirements?
EC&MPhil Nimmo 2024It’s nearly impossible today to think of
starting a business without software
tools. We use software to manage our
data, perform record-keeping services,
and support our decision making.
But for any software system to assist with
management decision making and true
projection/forecasting in a way that is
useful, it must have real-time access to the
same data from all the sources you utilize.
Read
Stay Ahead of the Game – Use Your
WIP Knowledge to Your Advantage
IEC, Insights MagazineJennifer Daneshgari and Dr. Heather Moore2024Every job starts with estimated costs
and projected profits. The field team is assembled and the vendors are selected. As the job progresses, here’s what is known by
the company in some way, in some location.
• The job costs to date
• The billings to date
• The cash collected to date
• The commitments left to spend
• … and likely the project manager has a
good handle on what’s left to go
Having the information digitalized,
communized, and interconnected between
your estimating, accounting, and field
information in one place moves your
data to information that you can use for
Read