By John Zink, Vice President of Development and Communications
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (March 11, 2026) – Construction project managers attending the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) Educational Foundation’s Essentials of Project Management class learned that effective management often begins with thinking like a detective. During the four-day course, held March 4–7 at Milwaukee Tool’s headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin, participants explored how careful analysis, problem-solving, and attention to detail can help project managers identify issues early, make better decisions, and keep projects on track.
Leading the class of twenty-four attendees through highly interactive discussions was Purdue University Professor Emeritus Kirk Alter. Throughout the course, Alter encouraged participants to approach their projects the way a good detective approaches a case—by carefully examining the evidence, asking good questions and managing with numbers. Job cost reports, labor productivity numbers, and other data provide the “clues” that reveal what is really happening on a project. By learning to analyze those signals, managers can spot problems early, understand what is driving costs, and can take corrective action before small issues grow into larger problems.
The class also reinforced the importance of developing habits that help managers cut through distractions and focus on the facts. Participants discussed the value of conducting root cause analysis when problems arise, improving processes incrementally (one percent better every day) on each project—and building trust with coworkers and customers by always communicating honestly.
By the end of the four-day program, attendees left with a clearer framework for approaching their work: learn how to deeply analyze the limited information available, support the craftspeople in the field, and make disciplined decisions based on facts rather than assumptions. That investigative mindset will allow the construction professionals attending the class to solve the daily mysteries of how to run their projects at peak performance and ultimately become more effective, efficient, and profitable project managers.
Milwaukee Tool sponsored and hosted the class at their headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin. “Milwaukee Tool actively invests in training for our industry, and we are proud to host this PHCC class for project managers,” said Ron Shanaver, National Account Manager. “Supporting education and professional development is a core part of our mission, and partnering on programs like this allows us to contribute to the growth of the trades while giving back to the industry we serve.”
The Foundation will be conducting a two-day Creating Super Foremen workshop at Milwaukee Tool on May 1st and 2nd, with Kirk Alter again providing instruction. Visit https://phccfoundation.org/essentials for more information.
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About PHCC Educational Foundation
The PHCC Educational Foundation, a partnership of contractors, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was founded in 1987 to serve the plumbing-heating-cooling industry by preparing contractors and their employees to meet the challenges of a constantly changing marketplace. Information on the Foundation’s training and educational programs can be found at https://phccfoundation.org.
Attendees work in small groups at the 2026 PHCC Essentials of Project Management class conducted March 4-7, 2026 at Milwaukee Tool’s headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Attendees of the 2026 PHCC Essentials of Project Management class conducted March 4-7, 2026. Milwaukee Tool sponsored and hosted the training at their headquarters in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
