Build America Podcast

In this episode, we dive into one of the most misunderstood—but most powerful—tools in construction: the project schedule. Often treated as paperwork or a box to check, scheduling quietly drives daily decisions, risk allocation, and even multi-million-dollar delay claims.We break down what construction scheduling really is, why it goes far beyond a simple timeline, and how it becomes the shared language between owners, contractors, and project teams. From baseline schedules to monthly updates, we explore how schedules evolve over the life of a project—and why those updates tell the real story of what’s happening in the field.The conversation also demystifies industry terms like critical path, float, and time impact analysis, explaining how they affect responsibility, risk, and outcomes when delays occur. Whether you’re managing small projects or complex, multi-year builds, this episode will change how you think about scheduling—and why getting it right from day one matters.🎧 Tune in to learn why effective scheduling isn’t just planning—it’s a contractual, financial, and legal safeguard that protects everyone involved.

In this episode of Build America, host Scott Jennings breaks down a powerful truth every contractor needs to hear: if you want to finish on time, reduce overhead, and protect your profit—you must drive the bus. That means taking charge of your work, guiding the owner, and nudging the engineer so the entire project keeps moving.Scott dives into why owners and engineers often respond slowly, what motivates their decisions, and the simple strategies contractors can use to stay in control. From smarter RFIs to color-coded submittals, tight change-order packages, agency coordination, field walks, and quick-hit explanation meetings, Scott gives practical tools to eliminate friction and accelerate progress.You’ll also hear real stories from the field, insights from major project management, and the mindset shift every contractor needs to finish strong—and finish smart.Why owners may seem “slow” and how their incentives shape response timesHow engineering billing, over-analysis, and liability concerns affect decisionsThe strategic advantage of providing the answer in your RFIsHow color-coding submittals speeds up reviewsThe three essentials every change order must includeWhy contractors should sometimes do light design to unlock workflowHow brief explanation meetings can drastically reduce delaysThe importance of prioritizing your requests instead of pushing everything at onceWhy field walks strengthen trust and teamworkHow proactive communication prevents disputes, delays, and extended overhead claims“If you want the job done on your terms, you can’t sit in the passenger seat. Get in the driver’s seat, drive the bus, and pull the owner and engineer with you.” – Scott JenningsLeadership—not waiting—is what drives projects forward. When contractors take control and guide owners and engineers with clarity and professionalism, projects stay on track and conflicts stay low. Driving the bus isn’t doing extra work—it’s protecting your schedule, your budget, and your team.Scott Jennings – Build America PodcastWebsite: sjcivil.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-jennings-p-e-1435103Email: sj@sjcivil.comBlog: sjcivil.com/blogPodcast: anchor.fm/sjccsitesurveyIf you enjoyed this episode, hit Like, leave a Comment, and Subscribe for more insights that help construction and engineering pros build smarter.🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode💬 Quote from Scott✔️ Final Thoughts🔔 Subscribe & Stay Connected#ConstructionManagement #Contractors #ProjectLeadership #DriveTheBus #ProjectControls #ConstructionInsights #JobsiteLife #OwnerEngineerContractor #RFIs #ChangeOrders #FieldManagement #ConstructionTips #BuildBetter #InfrastructureProjects #ConstructionPodcast

Step inside year two of Scott Jennings’ PhD journey—a raw, honest, and unexpectedly dramatic chapter of the Build America Podcast. This episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to pursue a doctorate while juggling a full career in construction.Scott shares long weekends spent buried in research, late-night study sessions, conference presentations, and the academic pressures no one warns you about. But the biggest twist? After months of work and nearly 300 research papers reviewed… he discovers his planned dissertation topic already exists. Topic rejected. Back to zero.Instead of quitting, Scott recalibrates, pivots to a new research direction, and finds fresh motivation to push forward. If you’re curious about what the PhD path looks like—especially later in life—or you’re navigating your own academic or career setbacks, this is a must-listen.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:What year two of a PhD program actually demandsThe difference between coursework and dissertation realityThe hidden expectations behind conference papers and presentationsHow Scott handled discovering his dissertation idea was already publishedThe new research direction he’s pursuingHow to stay motivated when your biggest plans fall apartThis episode is part inspiration, part reality check, and all about perseverance.💬 Connect with Scott JenningsWebsite: sjcivil.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-jennings-p-e-1435103Email: sj@sjcivil.comIf this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to rate, follow, and review—it helps more listeners in construction and engineering find the show.BuildAmericaPodcast, PhDJourney, DissertationLife, OldGuyPhD, EngineeringEducation, ConstructionIndustry, DoctoralStudent, ResearchSetback, LifelongLearning, HeavyCivilConstruction, GroundwaterControl, ShoringMethods, AcademicResearch

In this episode, Scott Jennings breaks down what it truly means to grow beyond “business puberty” and step into real executive leadership in the construction industry. Drawing from decades of hands-on field experience, Scott reveals why leadership isn’t earned behind a desk — it’s built through time, adversity, and life-tested moments that no textbook can teach.From navigating age bias at different career stages to managing high-pressure jobsite crises and emotionally charged decisions, Scott shares the pivotal experiences that separate seasoned leaders from those still climbing. If you want to lead at the highest level, this conversation is a reminder: wisdom comes from living the hard lessons, not skipping them.🎧 Tune in to learn:• Why leadership maturity takes time, grit, and patience• How age and experience shape executive readiness• Defining real-world moments every leader must face• The emotional resilience required to lead through crisis• Why experience — not shortcuts — creates true credibilityWhether you’re a rising professional or a seasoned construction veteran, this episode offers timeless perspective on leadership growth, humility, and the value of earned experience.#BuildAmericaPodcast #ConstructionLeadership #ExecutiveMindset #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #HeavyCivilConstruction #EngineeringLeadership #CareerEvolution #ConstructionManagement #RealWorldExperience #LeadershipMatters #WorkforceDevelopment #CivilEngineeringLife #ConstructionIndustry #ProfessionalGrowth #HardLessonsLearned #LeadershipJourney #NoShortcuts #ConstructionCareer #InspiringLeaders #AgeAndExperience #BusinessPuberty #ScottJennings #LeadWithExperience

In this episode of the Build America Podcast, host Scott Jennings dives into the delicate balance between over-designing and under-designing in construction projects. From the high costs of failure prevention to the equally damaging costs of engineering oversights, Scott explores where the “sweet spot” of pragmatic engineering lies.Using real-world examples, industry research, and lessons from decades in heavy civil construction, Scott shares insights into how owners, engineers, and contractors can work together to deliver safe, efficient, and cost-effective infrastructure.Key Discussion Points:Why both over-engineering and under-engineering can drive up project costs.The evolution of design codes from ASD to LRFD and their role in preventing failure.Real-world consequences of poor design and construction execution.How timing impacts cost—why waiting “until next year” rarely saves money.The importance of contractor participation in value engineering.How to achieve pragmatic engineering that balances safety, cost, and efficiency.Scott’s story is a powerful example of leadership, persistence, and community collaboration—showing that even the toughest infrastructure challenges can be solved with trust, transparency, and vision.🔔 Subscribe & Stay Connected:Connect with Scott Jennings, host of Build America PodcastWebsite:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sjcivil.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.linkedin.com/in/scott-jennings-p-e-1435103⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sj@sjcivil.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/sjccsitesurvey⁠While you’re there, please rate & review the show—it helps more people in construction and engineering discover these insights.#BuildAmericaPodcast #ConstructionManagement #CivilEngineering #Infrastructure #ProjectManagement #EngineeringDesign #ValueEngineering #ConstructionIndustry #EngineeringPodcast

Operating without a contractor’s license can be anywhere from inconvenient to illegal.  Hear here why you should consider obtaining a license. http://sjcivil.net/news/why-to-get-a-contractors-license/

Gantt charts have long been the established norm for construction scheduling. Linear scheduling is not nearly as common, especially in America, but can be a great tool. http://sjcivil.net/news/linear-scheduling-effective-with-a-bend-of-your-mind/

The effects on a Project by an Owner who untimely, in a “last minute” manner, postpones a bid are significant – here’s how. http://sjcivil.net/news/a-kick-in-the-well-you-know-last-minute-bid-postponement/

Construction claims are generated using many tools and many different methodologies. Listen here to learn some of the basic to intermediate approaches. http://sjcivil.net/podcast/claims-tools-methodologies/

Knowing how to read a concrete mix design is helpful for the project management team: from project manager to foreman. Here are some basics. http://sjcivil.net/engineering/cake-batter-and-concrete-mix-design-same-thing/

Being the best employee does require having traits which benefit your company, but one trait more than any other will help you as an employee benefit yourself and your own career. It’s called being coachable. http://sjcivil.net/management/help-yourself-be-the-most-coachable-player/

In construction, or after the fact in the permanent structure, engineers are predicting structural behavior and trying to either control a failure or minimize it. Herein are ways engineers engineer failure in both instances – via deflection. http://sjcivil.net/news/ways-that-engineers-manage-failure-deflection/

Basically, from the dictionary, a bridge carries a road across an obstacle. On top it could be a railway, or it could be a walking path, or it could be a vehicle roadway. And down below it could be going over a river or it could be a ravine, or it could be another road. Everyone knows what a bridge is; however, not everyone knows the names of the components of a bridge. http://sjcivil.net/news/bridges-101-what-makes-up-a-bridge/

Loss of productivity claims for contractors are common, and always difficult to be successful with against an owner. ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers), primarily an Owner’s advocate, has provided contractors with another tool for their toolbox: ASCE Standard 71-21 Identifying, Quantifying, and Proving Loss of Productivity. It was published in 2021. http://sjcivil.net/news/another-contractor-claims-tool-asce-71-21-identifying-quantifying-and-proving-loss-of-productivity/

There exists an insurance product to mitigate the risk associated with catastrophic failure of a construction company. It’s called Project Loss Insurance. http://sjcivil.net/news/project-loss-insurance-heard-of-it/

Debt, at least in the American construction business, is helpful when it comes to growth. Here’s a couple reasons why. http://sjcivil.net/news/debt-you-need-it/

Civil construction is the same, but different, in New Zealand. Some terms and methods which vary from American civil construction follow. http://sjcivil.net/means-methods/utes-and-bunds-working-in-new-zealand/

Bluebeam Revu is a tool that’s been around for several years now to aid in the manipulation of pdf documents – hear a little bit about it here and why I insist on using it. http://sjcivil.net/software/bluebeam-revu-review/

In a world now so heavily reliant upon computers, many construction professionals try to automate the entire process, of whatever they may be working on. Some things will still have to be manual, and that’s ok. http://sjcivil.net/engineering/dont-be-afraid-of-a-little-manual-work-its-ok/

Properly planning and monitoring the work can result in a safer and more profitable activity. Here’s one way to do it in utility installation. http://sjcivil.net/operations/keep-the-excavator-digging-it-drives-the-cost/