Construction Leaders Podcast: Innovation, Leadership, and Delivering Top-Tier Results in Construction Management

Published on October 1, 2024 by the Construction Management Association of America

Introduction

In Season 3, Episode 10 of the Construction Leaders Podcast, hosted by Nick Soto, the spotlight is on Dell Management, a pioneering construction firm based in the Midwest, USA. The episode delves into the firm's innovative practices, leadership strategies, and their approach to delivering exceptional results in the construction management industry. Kyle Grindel, Founder and CEO of Dell Management, shares his journey, insights on industry trends, challenges faced, and the company's future direction.

Guest Background: Kyle Grindel's Journey in Construction Management

Kyle Grindel provides an insightful overview of his career trajectory, highlighting his transition from an electrician to an electrical engineer, and eventually to a construction manager. This evolution underscores his deep-rooted connection to the construction field and his comprehensive understanding of both the technical and managerial aspects of the industry.

Kyle Grindel [01:42]: "From electrician to engineer and then ledger to construction manager. And now I'm just working on growing our company."

Evolving Trends in Construction Management

Kyle discusses the significant shifts he's observed in the construction management (CM) industry, particularly within the manufacturing sector. He notes a move from traditional CM agency roles towards Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) design-build models. This transition reflects changing client expectations and the evolving role of CMs in large-scale projects.

Kyle Grindel [03:32]: "There's been a trend, a change from a lot of CM agency work or CMGCs operating at risk to now it's starting to go more towards the EPC design build models."

Dell Management's Strategic Approach to Innovation

Dell Management leverages Kyle's engineering background to offer comprehensive owner's representation services. By integrating planning, engineering, design, and construction phases, the company provides unique value to clients, ensuring projects are managed holistically from inception to completion.

Kyle Grindel [04:30]: "We bring aspects and experience from all parts of the project, from the planning, the engineering, the design phase, and then obviously through the execution and the construction phases."

Capital Management Challenges and Solutions

One of the primary challenges in construction projects is balancing value engineering with capital management. Kyle highlights the struggle between allocating funds to upfront engineering design versus field change orders, emphasizing the need for strategic financial planning to optimize project outcomes.

Kyle Grindel [05:20]: "Do we want to have a full 100% design engineering package, do we need it or can we accept a little bit more money on the change order side?"

Ensuring Client Satisfaction Throughout Project Lifecycle

Dell Management prioritizes understanding client expectations from the outset. Through comprehensive onboarding and kickoff meetings, the company ensures alignment with client goals, addressing concerns and constraints early in the project to facilitate seamless execution and exceed expectations.

Kyle Grindel [06:36]: "We want to understand what our customers needs and pain points are before we even get started. Because if we're going to set ourselves up for success, we have to at least meet the expectations. But obviously the hope is to exceed them."

Technological Innovations Transforming Construction Management

Kyle explores the transformative impact of technology in construction management, highlighting Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) as key advancements. AI aids in enhancing communication and efficiency, while AR facilitates real-time data visualization and conflict detection on job sites.

Kyle Grindel [07:38]: "AI is a big one. Everybody's talking about it, and I don't think anybody really fully understands what it's capable of."

Kyle Grindel [08:10]: "Augmented reality headsets, for example, where you have your 3D model loaded in into this headset, you can go out to walk the job site, you can see conflicts as you're walking it."

Navigating Supply Chain Disruptions

Reflecting on the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kyle discusses the enduring impact of supply chain disruptions on construction projects. He emphasizes the importance of proactive planning and adaptability to mitigate delays caused by extended lead times for materials and equipment.

Kyle Grindel [09:45]: "We just have accepted it now and it's become more or less the norm for the most part. A lot of things have, I would say, returned to pre Covid normal lead times, but there's a lot of things that haven't."

Case Study: Managing a Critical Silo Replacement Project

Kyle shares a compelling case study where Dell Management successfully executed a critical silo replacement for a major confectionery plant within a tight 10-day downtime window. This project underscored the company's expertise in meticulous planning, resource management, and effective collaboration with general contractors to ensure timely and safe project completion.

Kyle Grindel [11:12]: "We had to make sure this goes well no matter what. So what can you do to help us?"

Kyle Grindel [12:56]: "The system got replaced in the 10 day window started up and from what I hear, six months later, it's been a success."

Promoting Mental Health Awareness in Construction

Addressing the critical issue of mental health, Kyle emphasizes Dell Management's commitment to fostering awareness and creating a supportive work environment. The company integrates mental health considerations into project kickoff meetings and maintains ongoing monitoring to ensure the well-being of all team members.

Kyle Grindel [13:32]: "We're making our clients understand how important it is and helping bring that into our kickoff meetings with contractors."

Cultivating Leadership and Developing the Next Generation

Dell Management places a strong emphasis on leadership development through meticulous hiring processes, regular check-ins, and active mentorship. Kyle outlines strategies to engage and nurture young professionals, ensuring they are well-equipped to lead and innovate in the construction management field.

Kyle Grindel [15:16]: "Constantly following up with our field personnel, making sure they're getting what they need and that we're able to address it and make the changes as necessary."

Balancing Certifications and Hands-On Experience

Kyle advocates for a balanced approach to professional development, valuing both certifications and practical experience. He highlights the importance of hands-on training and mentorship in building competent construction managers, complemented by certifications that validate knowledge and expertise.

Kyle Grindel [18:08]: "Field experience, getting some hands-on training to see what's really going on out there is critical."

Kyle Grindel [19:39]: "The CCM program, there is also the experience behind it that backs it up too."

Advice for Aspiring Construction Managers

Concluding the episode, Kyle offers invaluable advice to newcomers in the construction management field. He underscores the importance of continuous learning, humility, effective communication, ownership of mistakes, and active listening as foundational principles for success and leadership.

Kyle Grindel [19:58]: "Stay hungry and work hard... be humble and ask questions... making mistakes and owning them."

Kyle Grindel [22:10]: "Watch you listen more and talk less. I've always felt that I learn a lot more by being quiet and listening to what's going on and observing than I do by talking."

Conclusion

Kyle Grindel's insights in this episode provide a comprehensive look into the strategic operations of Dell Management and the broader construction management landscape. From embracing technological advancements and navigating supply chain challenges to fostering mental health and developing future leaders, Dell Management exemplifies innovation and leadership in delivering top-tier construction projects.

For more information about Dell Management, visit www.dellmanagement.com.

Stay tuned for the next episode of the Construction Leaders Podcast, featuring the Lean Construction Institute discussing the benefits and evolving role of Lean Construction in the industry.