Summary
The I³R Center at the University of Arkansas was one of CDI Contractors’ most complex projects, requiring utility relocation, tunneling, prefabrication, and construction next to sensitive research facilities. A young team of rising leaders embraced Lean principles and adopted Touchplan® to replace pull boards and spreadsheets, driving collaboration, accountability, and precise coordination. The result was on-time delivery, smoother prefab workflows, and a stronger Lean culture that CDI continues to apply across future projects.
Embracing Lean for Complex Construction
The Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R) Center at the University of Arkansas was one of the largest and most complex projects ever led by CDI Contractors. The scope included early utility relocation, tunnel construction, and advanced research spaces, all requiring careful sequencing, and cross-trade coordination. Adding further complexity was the adjacent Nanoscale Material Science and Engineering building (NANO), where highly sensitive scientific instruments were in use. These instruments are particularly susceptible to ambient vibrations caused by heavy construction activity, requiring the CDI team to plan around and mitigate any disruptions through careful scheduling and site logistics.
Traditional tools like pull planning boards and spreadsheets would not suffice. CDI saw an opportunity to advance its planning culture and sought out a Lean planning platform that could support this shift.
What made the I³R project especially noteworthy was the project team itself: a group of rising leaders within CDI who brought fresh energy and a strong commitment to continuous improvement. Many were stepping into leadership roles for the first time, fostering a culture of open communication and collaborative problem-solving that drove innovation across all phases of the project.
“We were curious about how Lean could genuinely improve our planning,” explains Jessica Hollinsworth, Senior Superintendent at CDI. “That curiosity came from a desire to get better. Lean is all about continuous improvement, and we wanted to move away from a top-down approach and build real buy-in from our subcontractors.”
Selecting a Digital Planning Solution
To drive this cultural and operational shift, CDI chose Touchplan as its digital planning solution. The platform offered an intuitive user interface, strong support for Last Planner System® practices, and the flexibility to grow with the team’s evolving Lean capabilities.
“Touchplan gave us a good spot to collaborate,” says Hollinsworth. “We didn’t get stuck in setting up planning boards. You can just start using it. That was key for us.”
Eliminating the setup and management demands of whiteboards and sticky notes, the platform quickly became a learning environment that supported collaboration and trade partner alignment. For many on the I³R team, it was their first time leading a project or applying Lean planning methods. Touchplan’s visual interface and straightforward workflows made planning accessible, helping team members understand dependencies, track commitments, and apply Lean principles with clarity and confidence.
Coordinating a High-Stakes Build
Construction of the I³R Center required meticulous coordination. From tunneling and early utility relocation to installing cross-laminated timber and over 90 percent prefabricated MEP systems, CDI needed a system to manage many moving parts. Touchplan helped teams collaborate with trades, manage crane logistics on a tight site, and stay aligned with research activities next door.
Weekly look-ahead meetings and Thursday commitment sessions helped drive progress. CDI assigned planning leads to each subcontractor to ensure preparation and alignment.
“It wasn’t just my plan, it was our plan,” says Hollinsworth. ” A lot of people were leading jobs for the first time, and everybody wanted to be successful.”
Supporting Prefabrication and Flow
Prefabrication played a major role in I³R’s success, and Touchplan ensured it worked smoothly. CDI required MEP trades to use prefabrication as part of their contracts. With nearly all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems fabricated off-site, Touchplan enabled precise coordination of when and where assemblies would arrive and be installed.
“Touchplan helped ensure the areas were ready to receive that prefab when it arrived,” Hollinsworth notes.
Touchplan also enabled precise sequencing for installations such as wall panels, mass timber elements, and advanced research equipment including MRI systems, vibration-isolated lab tables, and high-resolution imaging tools. On a compact site with limited staging space and a shared tower crane among multiple trades, Touchplan helped coordinate deliveries, minimize idle time, and prevent site access conflicts that could lead to crane downtime and costly schedule disruptions.
Driving Collaboration and Accountability
The young team’s drive to improve and the project’s complexity made collaboration essential. Touchplan fostered transparency and accountability, allowing trades to own commitments and raise constraints early.
“Touchplan allowed us to overcome obstacles together,” reflects Hollinsworth. “It helped us create handoffs that were clean and predictable and avoid the chaos of ‘come back later’ moments.”
Results and Cultural Impact
The I³R Center was delivered on time and exceeded the team’s goals for quality and coordination. Touchplan reduced missed handoffs and enabled smoother prefab installation and stronger alignment across all stakeholders. The platform also helped the team manage project complexity and deepened their understanding of Lean construction principles.
Touchplan is now a cornerstone of CDI’s Lean culture, and the team has applied lessons from I³R to subsequent projects. With the right mindset and planning solutions, even a team new to Lean can deliver transformative outcomes.
“Touchplan helped us build the project, but it also helped us build a better team,” Hollinsworth notes. “It gave us the structure to lead and the space to learn. That’s a big deal.”
Designed to support cutting-edge research in areas such as material science, bioscience, and integrative systems neuroscience, the I³R Center embodies the same forward-thinking mindset that defined the project team. Through thoughtful planning and collaboration, the team helped bring to life a facility that will power discovery, partnership, and innovation for years to come.
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