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The EBFC Show

The EBFC Show

By: Felipe Engineer Manriquez
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 The Easier, Better, for Construction Show strives to make building easier and better today. We dig into design and construction topics to inspire you to develop your people, improve your processes, and take the business of building to the next level. Podcasts are published monthly. Learn more and connect with Host Felipe Engineer-Manriquez, at https://thefelipe.bio.link/.Copyright 2023 All rights reserved. Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • CBA - Pros & Cons: Better Decisions with Paz Arroyo

    CBA - Pros & Cons: Better Decisions with Paz Arroyo
    Sep 1 2025

    What if the real problem on your project isn’t budget, scope, or schedule — but how decisions are actually made? 🤯

    In this episode of The EBFC Show, Felipe Engineer-Manriquez is joined by Dr. Paz Arroyo — author of Building Decisions, CBA evangelist, and DPR's culture of quality champion — to unravel the mess behind most construction decisions and reveal a better path forward.

    Together, they dive into the science and soul of sound decision-making with Choosing by Advantages (CBA) — a powerful, underused method that helps teams cut through bias, confusion, and decision fatigue with clarity and respect.

    🎯 What you’ll learn in this episode:

    • Why “pros and cons” are a trap for critical thinking 😬
    • How CBA helps teams align on what really matters — and why
    • The human (and hilarious) side of decision-making in big families, big projects, and cell phone shopping 📱
    • Real stories from mega projects where CBA shifted the game
    • How to make durable, collaborative, and transparent decisions
    • Why most teams aren’t taught to separate value from cost — and what that costs them 💸
    • How CBA supports #respectforpeople by including every voice in the room

    💡 Whether you’re building skyscrapers, choosing a structural system, or just arguing over iPhone vs. Android — this episode will change how you think about thinking.

    📘 Grab the book “Building Decisions” and dig deeper into practical, field-tested ways to apply CBA on your project.

    🧠 Want to make better decisions that stick? This episode is for builders, leaders, owners, and anyone tired of flip-flopping, second-guessing, or defaulting to “we’ve always done it this way.”

    Books

    “Building Decisions” by Paz Arroyo, Annett Schöttle, and Randi Christensen

    Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/4mJMjDC

    ---

    Connect with Paz via

    LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paz-arroyo-phd-27b282b/

    Connect with Felipe via

    Social media and Free Lean and Scrum Training Resources at https://thefelipe.bio.link

    RSM Podia Course Link: https://store.theebfcshow.com/rsm

    Subscribe to never miss new videos here: https://click.theebfcshow.com/youtube

    Watch The EBFC Show Podcast https://click.theebfcshow.com/YouTube-Podcast

    ---

    Today's episode is sponsored by the Lean Construction Institute (LCI). This non-profit organization operates as a catalyst to transform the industry through Lean project delivery using an operating system centered on a common language, fundamental principles, and basic practices. Learn more at https://www.leanconstruction.org

    Elevate your construction career and enhance your company's performance by mastering the crucial aspect of building enclosure management with Field Verified's specialized training. Address the major challenge of managing building enclosures, a common source of construction failures. Get hands-on learning experience with real-world construction scenarios and mock-up installations for skill-building with leadership and team-focused strategies. By joining our course, you gain access to a proven program that not only covers technical aspects but also better practices for effective construction management. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach. Visit https://fieldverified.com for more insights, or contact us at 480-719-5090.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Lean But Not Seen: Why Construction Still Misses the Mark

    Lean But Not Seen: Why Construction Still Misses the Mark
    Jul 2 2025
    Most construction pros have heard of Lean — but far fewer truly understand it, and even fewer are putting it into practice. In this episode of The EBFC Show, we shine a light on why Lean is often misunderstood, overlooked, or completely invisible on job sites today. Join host Felipe Engineer-Manriquez and special guest Alan Boykiw as they unpack the roots of Lean, its relevance to construction, and what it really takes to make continuous improvement more than just a buzzword. Why is Lean often misunderstood — or completely unseen — in today’s construction industry? In this eye-opening episode of The EBFC Show, host Felipe Engineer-Manriquez sits down with Alan Boykiw, Senior Experience Architect at Nialli, to explore why Lean Construction isn’t as visible or widespread as it should be. Together, they unpack the history of Lean, bust some common myths, and share hard truths about where the industry stands on Lean adoption. From the origins of the term “Lean” to the pressing need for change in how we plan, schedule, and collaborate — this episode gets real about what’s holding teams back, and more importantly, how to move forward. 🎯 What you’ll learn in this episode: Why the term “Lean” was never meant to mean “less people”How Lean Construction evolved from Toyota’s foundational methodsWhat the Last Planner System®, Takt Planning, and Scrum bring to the fieldWhy most construction projects still struggle with waste, delays, and inefficienciesHow fewer than 5% of projects truly implement Lean toolsWhy perfection isn’t required to get started — just a willingness to improveFree and simple ways teams can begin applying Lean right now 💡 Whether you’re just hearing about Lean for the first time or you’ve been practicing for years, this conversation offers powerful insights and practical steps for anyone ready to build smarter. 🔗 Tune in now and ask yourself: Is your team Lean… or just unseen? 💬 Want to deliver more value in your next project? This episode is a must-listen for builders, designers, owners, and anyone committed to improving construction culture. Show Links: Methods include the Last Planner System®, Takt Planning, and Scrum. Leverage more free resources from the Lean Construction Blog, the EBFC Show, or the Lean Builder blog for help with foundations. Consider joining a local LCI Community of Practice to learn from peers. --- Connect with Alan Boykiw, Senior Experience Architect Email: alanboykiw@nialli.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanboykiw/ Website: https://www.nialli.com/ Connect with Felipe via Social media and Free Lean and Scrum Training Resources at https://thefelipe.bio.link RSM Podia Course Link: https://store.theebfcshow.com/rsm Subscribe to never miss new videos here: https://click.theebfcshow.com/youtube Watch The EBFC Show Podcast https://click.theebfcshow.com/YouTube-Podcast --- Today's episode is sponsored by the Lean Construction Institute (LCI). This non-profit organization operates as a catalyst to transform the industry through Lean project delivery using an operating system centered on a common language, fundamental principles, and basic practices. Learn more at https://www.leanconstruction.org Elevate your construction career and enhance your company's performance by mastering the crucial aspect of building enclosure management with Field Verified's specialized training. Address the major challenge of managing building enclosures, a common source of construction failures. Get hands-on learning experience with real-world construction scenarios and mock-up installations for skill-building with leadership and team-focused strategies. By joining our course, you gain access to a proven program that not only covers technical aspects but also better practices for effective construction management. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach. Visit https://fieldverified.com for more insights, or contact us at 480-719-5090.
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • How to Scale Target Value Delivery for Any Project: Part 2

    How to Scale Target Value Delivery for Any Project: Part 2
    May 20 2025

    How Small Projects Can Win Big with Target Value Delivery (TVD). In this episode of The EBFC Show, host Felipe Engineer-Manriquez chats with Jason Brenner from Join about the game-changing power of Target Value Delivery (TVD) — not just for billion-dollar mega-projects, but even for more modest efforts like a $6 million infrastructure upgrade.

    Together, they break down how TVD helps teams build trust, embrace collaboration, and deliver more value — regardless of project size. Jason shares real-world insights and practical strategies for navigating common challenges like audits, cost control, and stakeholder engagement. Whether you're new to TVD or looking to deepen your application of it, this conversation is packed with wisdom you can take straight to the jobsite.

    🎯 What you’ll learn in this episode:

    • Why TVD works on small AND large-scale projects
    • How to build trust across diverse project teams
    • The role of hybrid Big Rooms in today’s construction workflows
    • Strategies to empower and leverage junior staff
    • Tips for separating cost from fee in transparent ways
    • Overcoming trust barriers and creating safe collaboration spaces
    • Insights into project audits and accountability
    • How to align project goals through shared understanding
    • Why sustainable collaboration starts with respect and communication

    💬 Want to deliver more value in your next project? This episode is a must-listen for builders, designers, owners, and anyone committed to improving construction culture.

    🔗 Listen now and let us know: What’s your biggest takeaway from this episode?

    ---

    Connect with Jason via

    LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-brenner-3b29524/

    Website at https://join.build/

    Connect with Felipe via

    Social media and Free Lean and Scrum Training Resources at https://thefelipe.bio.link

    RSM Podia Course Link: https://store.theebfcshow.com/rsm

    Subscribe to never miss new videos here: https://click.theebfcshow.com/youtube

    Watch The EBFC Show Podcast https://click.theebfcshow.com/YouTube-Podcast

    ---

    Today's episode is sponsored by the Lean Construction Institute (LCI). This non-profit organization operates as a catalyst to transform the industry through Lean project delivery using an operating system centered on a common language, fundamental principles, and basic practices. Learn more at https://www.leanconstruction.org

    Elevate your construction career and enhance your company's performance by mastering the crucial aspect of building enclosure management with Field Verified's specialized training. Address the major challenge of managing building enclosures, a common source of construction failures. Get hands-on learning experience with real-world construction scenarios and mock-up installations for skill-building with leadership and team-focused strategies. By joining our course, you gain access to a proven program that not only covers technical aspects but also better practices for effective construction management. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach. Visit https://fieldverified.com for more insights, or contact us at 480-719-5090.

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
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