Implementing a roadmap to LEAN Construction and efficient planning, procurement, and project delivery is neither complex nor costly. The benefits of the change include consistent delivery of 90%+ of all repair, renovation, maintenance, and new build projects on-time, on-budget, and per detailed specifications.
The question is why aren’t LEAN construction solutions being implemented to any significant effect, and why are there so many being used improperly?
What is LEAN? Lean is a philosophy that began with Henry Ford (not Toyota) in “recent” history and existed long before that. In basic terms LEAN involves mutual respect among all participants and stakeholders, information sharing, and a goal of continuous improvement. (See-Origins of LEAN – LEAN Enterprise Institute)
LEAN Construction Solutions – LEAN construction solutions have existed for over three decades and have now evolved to include all the requisite tools and services for rapid implementation. LEAN solutions can be tailored to organizational needs; however, core elements remain constant. These core elements are mandatory to achieve maximum benefit.
Core Elements of LEAN Construction
- Owner leadership, commitment, and competency
- A defined programmatic process consistently applied to all programs, contracts, and projects
- Focus upon clearly defined mutually beneficial outcomes
- Integrated planning, procurement, and project delivery methods and teams on an early and ongoing basis
- Common data environment inclusive of locally researched detailed line-item construction task with granular labor, material, and equipment data points
- A written Operation Manual or Execution Guide in association with a multiparty contract.
- Quantitative metrics/key performance indicators to drive continuous improvement
- Mandatory initial and ongoing training for all participants
- Enabling technology to support lower deployment and management costs as well as organization-wide consistency
