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Project Kickoffs: The Hidden Engine of Construction Success

  • Writer: Rich Schnitzel
    Rich Schnitzel
  • May 9
  • 3 min read

The kickoff meeting is your make-or-break moment. It sets the tone for everything that follows. Yet most construction teams blow right through it.


Kickoffs aren't about introductions. They're about diving deep into your client's world. Skip this step, and you'll pay later.


The Hidden Problem of Poor Kickoffs


You've been there before. A project starts, then quickly derails.


The client complains you're not matching their style. 

Budget assumptions prove wildly incorrect.

Communication breaks down when you need it most.


These aren't random problems. They're kickoff failures coming back to haunt you.


Most kickoffs fail because they focus on the wrong things. Teams rush through introductions, hand out business cards, and call it done.


The real work never happens.


A close-up of Rich Schnitzel working on a laptop. He's wearing a light blue shirt with a beige blazer, looking down at his screen which displays "KRC SERVICES" and appears to show planning or project management information. His hands are positioned over the keyboard as he organizes client information.
Rich organizing project information during a kickoff meeting, using the PARA method to structure client requirements and communication preferences.

Why This Matters Now


Poor kickoffs lead to predictable disasters:


✕ Budget overruns that eat into profits

✕ Endless meetings to "clarify expectations"

✕ Projects that drag on weeks past deadline

✕ Damaged client relationships that cost future work


With today's compressed timelines and thin margins, you can't afford these problems.


The client won't remember your excuses. They'll remember the results.

A back view of what appears to be Michele and Rich in a meeting room, with Michael and Ken also visible. The team is seated at what seems to be a conference table, likely discussing project requirements, timelines, and communication strategies during a kickoff meeting with a client.
The KRC team in a strategic project kickoff meeting, collaborating to establish clear client expectations and deliverables.

Common Approaches That Fail


Most construction managers approach kickoffs in ways that guarantee failure:


The Checklist Approach

↳ running through a generic list without digging deeper


The Sales Pitch

↳ talking about your company instead of listening to theirs


The Rush Job

↳ scheduling only 30 minutes for a meeting that needs two hours


The Delegation Mistake

↳ sending junior staff to critical first meetings


These approaches might save time upfront. But they create massive headaches downstream.


A professional outdoor portrait of the KRC leadership team standing in a row in front of a black fence with greenery in the background. From left to right: Michael Rollins in a navy blazer and dark patterned shirt, Rich Schnitzel in a light tan blazer and blue shirt, Michele Barnes in a white blouse and dark blazer, and Ken Schnitzel in a navy suit with a patterned shirt. All four are smiling at the camera.
The KRC Team: Michael Rollins, Rich Schnitzel, Michele Barnes and Ken Schnitzel

The KRC Kickoff System


At KRC, we've refined our kickoff approach over 30 years. It works because it's both thorough and adaptable.


Here's our proven system:


1. Become Cultural Anthropologists


We study the client's communication style and decision-making processes.


Some clients value formal, structured approaches. Others prefer quick, informal calls. We mirror their style from day one.


We identify their risk tolerance and approval chains. Then adapt our process to match.


2. Map the Information Landscape


We identify exactly who holds what information:


• Key personnel and their roles

• Preferred communication channels

• Documentation sources and access

• Specific success metrics that matter to them


This mapping prevents the endless "who has that information?" delays.


3. Get Boots on the Ground


We always conduct these visits live, not virtually. This is non-negotiable for our process.


→ We meet landlords face-to-face to review turnover requirements.

→ We conduct detailed page turns with architects while on site.

→ We ensure the GC site super participates in these critical discussions.


These in-person interactions build relationships no email chain can create.


4. Organize for Action


We use a structured system to organize everything we learn:


Projects – current tasks and deliverables

Areas – ongoing responsibilities

Reference – supporting materials

Archive – completed work


This ensures critical information doesn't vanish into email threads.


An indoor image showing three KRC team members examining architectural blueprints laid out on a counter. Michele Barnes (left) in a white top is holding a white hard hat and smiling, Michael Rollins (middle) in a navy patterned shirt is pointing at something on the plans, and Rich Schnitzel (right) in a light blue shirt is looking down at the drawings. The setting appears to be inside a retail space under construction or renovation.
Michele Barnes, Michael Rollins, and Rich Schnitzel reviewing retail store plans during an on-site kickoff meeting.

Real Results in Action


We recently partnered with a major national retailer with hundreds of locations. Our two-day immersive kickoff gave us invaluable insights into their operations.


Using our kickoff system, we:


✓ Learned their direct approach: "I need you to execute." 

✓ Mapped their communication style for updates and approvals. 

✓ Established clear boundaries that matched their risk tolerance. 


Result: We're now managing their permitting and retrofit projects. The work flows smoothly with clear direction and trust.


A close-up portrait of three KRC team members standing at what appears to be a construction counter or desk. From left to right: Michael in a navy blue shirt with small dots pattern, Michele in the middle wearing a white KRC-branded top, and Rich on the right in a light blue button-up shirt with the KRC logo. All three are standing with their hands resting on the counter surface, smiling at the camera. The background suggests they are at an active construction or renovation site.
Michael, Michele, and Rich at a construction site, embodying KRC's hands-on approach to project kickoffs and client partnerships.

Your Action Plan


Ready to transform your kickoffs? Start with these steps:


1. Double your next kickoff meeting length

2. Create a client culture section in your discovery documents

3. Schedule site visits before mobilization begins

4. Map out information sources and communication preferences


This timing is critical. Early visits allow us to establish expectations and identify challenges before the project starts. The insights gained become your competitive advantage.


The construction leaders who master kickoffs don't just build better buildings. They build stronger partnerships that last for decades.


Until next time,


Rich

KRCrossing Consulting

PS: Our next issue features an exclusive interview with a true industry titan – a construction veteran with 45 years of experience who now serves as COO at one of the nation's most elite general contractors. Trust me – you don't want to miss the wisdom this legend is sharing only with our subscribers.


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