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Day 1
- Foundational Information: Learn CBA's core definitions, principles, and vocabulary, and recognize common unsound decisionmaking methods
- Mutually Exclusive Alternatives: Apply methods from quick mental decisions to the Tabular Method for complex, multi-alternative choices
- Tools & Techniques: Use the MS Excel CBA Workbook and online software to support sound decisionmaking
Day 2
- CBA in Practice: See CBA demonstrated and get your process questions answered
- Priority and Resource Allocation Decisions: Set priorities among nonexclusive proposals using the Priority Ratio and margin analysis
- Complex Allocation Decisionmaking: Prioritize and test allocation decisions under budget or time constraints
- Special Situations: Apply CBA to life cycle cost decisions and integrate it with Lean's A3 process
Registration Date/Time:
6/9/2027 07:30am Central Time
Event Dates/Times:
- 6/9/2027 8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
- 6/10/2027 8:00am - 5:00pm Central Time
Course Location
Attendees will need a laptop on Day #2.
Instructors
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.
Vince Clark
Lecturer
Vince Clark is an accomplished manufacturing leader with more than 30 years of experience driving operational excellence across global organizations. He brings a proven record of leading large, complex operations in industries ranging from consumer products to heavy equipment and mining.
Vince spent over two decades with Caterpillar Inc., progressing through roles that included Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Factory Product Manager, Global Manufacturing Engineering Director, and Operations Director. He led organizations with hundreds of employees, managed large-scale global engineering teams, and oversaw complex operations, including Caterpillar’s Ultra Class Mining Shovels and off-highway trucks, developing deep expertise in low-volume, high-mix production environments.
Following his time with Caterpillar, Vince held senior leadership roles with Enerpac, Briggs & Stratton, and Andis Company, where he most recently served as Business Unit Director. Across these organizations, he managed operations of more than 600 employees, oversaw annual capital project portfolios exceeding $60 million, and consistently delivered measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
A certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Vince is recognized for his ability to combine Lean, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, and lead-time reduction principles with a people-centered leadership style, delivering both cultural change and bottom-line results. He holds a BS and MS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and an MBA from Millikin University. As an instructor with the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Center for Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM), Vince brings a wealth of real-world expertise to help companies reduce lead times, improve responsiveness, and thrive in today’s competitive manufacturing landscape.Jeff Wilkerson
Jeff Wilkerson is a progressive Lean leader, executive advisor, and innovative learning enthusiast with extensive experience in manufacturing and leadership. His career spans roles from machine operator to Plant Manager and later senior leadership at Caterpillar Inc., giving him a unique perspective that connects frontline realities with strategic vision. Jeff also spent time at TI Automotive in various manufacturing roles before joining Caterpillar, where he advanced through positions in operations, supply chain, engineering management, and global program leadership.Throughout his career, Jeff has helped optimize global manufacturing operations, guided teams to implement impactful process improvements, and designed simulated work environments (SWEs) that expand real-world problem-solving capabilities and drive significant efficiency gains.Jeff holds a Lean Master Black Belt, an MBA in Human Resources, and a BA in Leadership and Management. He has also completed advanced executive education at the MIT Sloan School of Management, focusing on Digital Business Strategy, Design Thinking, and Business Process Design. In addition, he is certified as a lay counselor in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, reflecting his belief that sustainable operational excellence stems from prioritizing people over processes.Today, Jeff combines his deep expertise in Lean, change management, and leadership development to help organizations achieve breakthrough results while building cultures of trust, accountability, and continuous improvement.Program Director
James Rink