The Hidden Signals Behind a Topping-Out Milestone in Structural Steel

Executives watch topping-out milestones closely because they reflect the strength of planning and execution on the job. A topping-out ceremony reflects the team’s progress through the steel phase and signals that the project is ready for the next steps.

What often gets missed is the real achievement behind that moment. Reaching topping out means the raising gangs have placed more than 10,000 steel members with millimeter precision, day after day. That level of discipline, tenacity, and teamwork is what drives a project forward.

This recent topping out in Sioux Falls, South Dakota shows what clean execution looks like. Red Cedar Steel, working alongside Burns & McDonnell and the team at LeJeune Steel Company, beat the primary erection schedule for a 700,000 square foot facility stretching the length of twelve football fields.

The Red Cedar Steel crews get credit for a safe, professional job. They pointed to better visibility and tighter coordination as reasons they stayed ahead of plan.

What Executives Look For at a Topping Out

Executives focus on what the milestone says about project momentum and reliability.

A strong topping-out moment gives them confidence in four areas:

1. Predictable schedule - Steel topping out on time keeps downstream trades on pace and protects critical path.
2. Budget control - Staying on plan during steel reduces unplanned labor, crane hours, and late-stage corrections.
3. Risk reduction - A safe path to topping out signals strong planning and disciplined crew management.
4. Confidence going forward - When steel flows smoothly, the following phases benefit from a clean handoff.

What Makes a Steel Project Successful

Across hundreds of projects, successful steel teams share the same fundamentals:

• Buildable, accurate sequencing - A realistic sequence keeps the crane moving and removes uncertainty.
• Real-time visibility of progress - Clear insight into what’s erected and what’s ready to fly helps crews avoid rework.
• Predictable crane operations - Tracking crane time lowers idle hours and keeps the schedule intact.
• Reliable material flow - Deliveries aligned with sequence keep the crew productive and prevent bottlenecks.
• Strong communication across teams - Shared information across the GC, erector, and fabrication team eliminates surprises.

How Versatile Helps Steel Teams Reach Topping Out Faster

Executives say that Versatile is one of the few services that creates immediate value by giving them clear visibility into their process and helping them turn their data into action they can use in the field.

Here is what Versatile users see on real projects:

1–3 day improvement per sequence

Versatile streamlines the entire workflow. Crews often finish each sequence 1–3 days faster. Many GCs say the steel team is setting faster than they can keep up.

131 labor hours saved per sequence

A six-person crew can save 131 hours on each sequence. Less wasted motion. Fewer re-picks. No time lost searching for material.

27 percentage point reduction in crane idle time

Teams plan their crane time and track actuals against it. Predictable picks translate directly into lower cost and faster installation.

A Message From Our VP of Sales, Niko Suvorov

“Topping out looks like a celebration, but the teams that hit that moment on time share the same habit: they remove guesswork. Versatile helps steel crews see problems before they slow the crane, keep material flowing in sequence, and make faster decisions. When you can measure everything, you can control everything.”

Niko Suvorov, VP of Sales, Versatile