Decisionmaking as a Competitive Advantage Choosing by Advantages (CBA)

Day 1, Part I: Foundational Information

• Definitions, Principles, Models, Methods
• The Discovery and Recognition of CBA
• Correctly Describing Differences
• The Principles of Deciding Importance
• Unsound Methods

Day 1, Part II: Mutually Exclusive Alternatives Context

• Methods for Simple Decisions
• Methods for Moderately Complex Decisions
• Methods for Complex Decisions

Day 1, Part III: Tools & Techniques

• Hints and MS Excel CBA Workbook
• Three Answers about Process
• Toyota’s Principle 13
• Online Software

Day 2, Part I: Foundational Information

• Demonstration
• Deciding Importance
• CBA Usage Q&A

Day 2, Part II: Priority and Resource Allocation Decisions

• Four Basic Contexts of Decisionmaking
• Nonexclusive Proposals Defined
• Priority Ratio
• “With Minus Without” Increment
• Margin

Day 2, Part III: Complex Allocation Decisionmaking

• Nonexclusive Proposal Prioritization for Allocations
• Testing Weight of Importance in Allocation Decisionmaking

Day 2, Part IV: Special Situations

• Decisions using Life Cycle Cost
• Integrating CBA in the Lean A3
• Supplementary CBA Info
• Special Techniques

Registration Date/Time:
11/11/2025 7:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 11/5/2025  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
• 11/6/2025  8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time

Attendees will need a laptop on Day #2. 

• Instructor

  John Koga

  Owner

  John Koga is a retired vice president of The Boldt Company, a prestigious construction firm founded in 1889 and recognized as an ENR Top 100 company. The Boldt Company has been a leader in Lean Construction principles for over two decades, known for its innovative Integrated Lean Project Delivery (ILPD™), takt-time planning, built-in-quality, safety, and Choosing By Advantages (CBA) Decisionmaking.

  John was an early adopter of CBA and introduced it to the lean construction community, significantly influencing lean methodologies in construction projects. As a vice president at Boldt, he championed these initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence. His career included twenty years of consulting and teaching across various markets and project types. Mentored by CBA originator Jim Suhr since 2003, John assembled and taught this CBA training program for over ten years. At Boldt, he taught CBA to many clients and at Lean Construction Institute Congresses. As an independent consultant, he has taught Lean Construction and CBA for companies like McNeilus Truck and Oshkosh Corporation.

• Program Director

  James Rink

This course is part of the Technical Leadership Certificate. Each course may be taken individually as well.

• Fee covers morning and afternoon breaks, and scheduled lunches.

When eight or more sign up from same employer, your course discount is $224.25.
When three or more sign up from same employer, your course discount is $149.5.

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from interpro@union.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email interpro@union.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.