How Takt & CPM Work Together
For decades, construction projects have been planned and controlled using the Critical Path Method (CPM). While CPM provides a legally recognized scheduling framework, it often falls short as a production planning system. Takt Planning fills that gap, enabling flow, stability, and respect for people in the field.
When used together, Takt and CPM create a system where:
- Takt is the production engine (used daily and weekly to plan and manage work).
- CPM is the legal record (used as an as-built schedule, aligning with contract requirements).
This manual explains how the two systems connect, when each is used, and how to ensure they complement one another instead of competing.
1. How Takt and CPM Tie Together?
Takt Planning is both the strategic plan (Macro Level) and the production plan (Norm Level).
CPM should be retained only as a high-level as-built schedule, never as the production plan.
CPM should be retained only as a high-level as-built schedule, never as the production plan.
Takt Planning is both the strategy and the tactic.
Key distinction:
- Takt = philosophy, flow, and control (the plan we build from and believe in).
- CPM = contractual artifact (a reporting mechanism, aligned but not driving production).
The proper relationship:
- Build and run the project from Takt.
- Export to CPM for contractual reporting and legal coverage.
2. What Comes First?
1. Always start with the Macro-Level Takt plan
2. The Takt plan defines the overall flow, rhythm, and sequence of the project.
3. The CPM Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) must be created to match and align with this Takt structure.
Golden Rule: “The Takt plan leads; CPM follows as an export.”
3. What is The Deliverable Cycle?
Takt integrates seamlessly with the Last Planner® System. The cycle works like this:
- Macro-Level Takt Plan: Establishes overall strategy.
- Pull Plan Milestones: Breaks down macro phases into detail.
- Norm-Level Takt Plan: Becomes the production plan for each phase.
- Six-Week Lookahead: Filters work for readiness and roadblock removal.
- Weekly Work Plan: Defines commitments and handoffs.
- Day Plans: Guides daily work in the field.
At each step, information flows back into the Takt plan, which is then exported weekly into CPM for record-keeping.
4. What is The Update Cycle?
Wrong way
Build CPM schedule → Pull Plan from CPM → Filter Lookahead from CPM → Trades create weekly work plans → Update CPM again.
This creates chaos and redundancy.
Right way
Start with the Macro Takt plan → Pull Plan to milestones → Build Norm-Level Production Plan → Filter Lookaheads → Create Weekly and Daily Work Plans.
- Zone Control Walks ensure daily accountability.
- Weekly as-builts update the Takt plan.
- Export weekly into CPM (for contract/legal record).
This keeps CPM in sync without letting it dictate field operations.
5. Who Sees What?
Owners
- Conservative owners → See only CPM + narrative.
- Trustworthy/engaged owners → Can also see the macro Takt plan.
Superintendents & Trade Partners
- See the full cascade
Macro Plan → Pull Plans → Lookaheads → Weekly Work Plans → Day Plan
Field Teams
- Work daily from Pull Plans → Lookaheads → Weekly Work plans
Supported by Takt visuals.
6. How are Updates in the Field captured?
Daily Zone Control Walks
- Supers + Foremen walk zones, prepare ahead, finish behind
Capture as-built progress
- Update Production Plan weekly.
Apply the Problem-Solving Matrix
- To address roadblocks systematically.
Export updated Takt plan to CPM each week.
This ensures accuracy without breaking flow.
7. how do you handle Delays & Impacts?
Do not use CPM-style recovery (crashing, adding labor, panic).
Instead, follow Takt delay recovery guidelines:
- Adjust crew flow.
- Optimize batch sizes.
- Re-level the Takt plan.
- Impacts are tracked using the Path of Critical Flow, not Critical Path.
For contract time extensions:
- Submit via Takt documentation (see taktguide.org for procedures).
- CPM export serves as contractual evidence.
8. Legal Coverage
- Each weekly Takt export to CPM must comply with the 14-point DCMA checklist and QC guidelines.
- The CPM schedule, while not used for production, provides a defensible as-built schedule for contractual purposes.
- This protects you while still allowing Lean flow in production.
Conclusion
The key to merging Takt and CPM is role clarity:
- Takt is the driver (philosophy, production, and flow).
- CPM is the record (contract compliance and legal protection).
- When implemented this way, projects achieve flow, stability, and trust — without sacrificing contractual coverage.
Resources
The Takt Guide
- The Takt guide is where we place any relevant information for how to set contracts, recover from delays, and keep standards. Check it out at www.taktguide.com
The 10 Myths of CPM
- We also have a book called The 10 Myths of CPM that will explain the entire truth about CPM and how Takt can help.