Challenge

For decades, the Indian Health Services and three Sioux tribes faced limited healthcare access. Ten aging clinic buildings spread across South Dakota forced more than 75,000 residents to travel long distances for fragmented care. The 204,000 SF consolidation project sought to provide a single, comprehensive facility.

The project faced several challenges: complex MEP systems, cultural design requirements, and the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, which threatened supply chains and workforce availability.

Solution

Flintco transformed the schedule into a living, shared roadmap by implementing Lean2.0 methodology and Last Planner® System principles. The approach included weekly work plans organized into “should, will, and could” tasks, six-week look-aheads for proactive decision-making, and milestone-based pull planning sessions. The team re-sequenced project phasing based on trade partner input and released design packages strategically for earthwork, civil, utilities, and superstructure. Early involvement of trade partners enabled procurement to begin while design packages were still being finalized.

Weekly progress check-ins and monthly schedule updates—coordinated with the owner’s design review timelines—kept momentum and enabled quick recovery plans when issues surfaced. The entire team worked from the same playbook, adjusting in real time as conditions changed.

Result

The Oyate Health Center was completed a full year ahead of schedule. Indigenous families gained access to comprehensive services, including primary care, specialty care, dental, audiology, eye care, pharmacy, physical therapy, diagnostics, and wellness programs.

The accelerated schedule was achieved without compromising quality and created additional economic impact—hiring staff earlier and supporting local businesses.