6 Principles of Lean Construction
6 Principles of Lean Construction
6 Principles of Lean Construction
Lean construction borrows from the manufacturing approach developed by Toyota after World
War II. Of course, it is much easier to produce repeatable, forecastable results in the controlled
environment of a factory floor than in the more unpredictable world of construction. Greater
variation and workflow disruptions are to be expected.
It is also important to note that there is no one cookie-cutter approach to Lean construction.
There are a number of tools, including the Last Planner System, Integrated Project Delivery,
Building Information Modeling, 5s, and Kaizen Events, that can be used in combination to
achieve Lean. This gives practitioners a wide range of options that can be applied to each project.
There are, however, guiding principles that help firms achieve lower costs, reduced construction
times, more productivity, and efficient project management. They represent a holistic approach
to the construction process.
Lean construction brings together all stakeholders including the owner, architect, engineers,
general contractor, subcontractors, and suppliers. The project team not only delivers what the
client wants, but they provide advice and help shape expectations throughout the project.
Eliminate Waste
A primary goal of Lean construction is eliminating or minimizing waste at every opportunity.
Lean construction targets eight major types of waste:
Defects: Defects are anything that is not done correctly the first time, resulting in rework that
wastes time and materials.
Overproduction: In construction, overproduction happens when a task is completed earlier than
scheduled or before the next task in the process can be started.
Waiting: The most common scenario that leads to waiting in construction is when workers are
ready, but the necessary materials needed for the work to be completed have not been delivered,
or the prerequisite prior task has not been completed.
Not Utilizing Talent: Workers on a construction project have a range of skills and experience.
When the right person is not matched to the right job, their talent, skills, and knowledge go to
waste.
Transport: The waste of transport happens when materials, equipment, or workers are moved to
a job site before they are needed. It can also refer to the unnecessary transmission of information.
Inventory: Materials that are not immediately needed are considered excess inventory. They tie
up budget, require storage, and often degrade when not used.
Over Processing: Over processing happens when features or activities are added that have no
value to the client. Ironically, this often occurs when taking steps to eliminate the other types of
waste.
Continuous Improvement
The belief that it is possible and necessary to continuously improve processes and eliminate
waste is the heart of the Lean philosophy. Opportunities for improvement are identified and
acted upon during the project and applied to future projects.
The construction industry is not immune to the tendency to stick to old ways and resist change,
but the many benefits of the Lean approach are compelling more and more firms to take on the
challenge. When projects come in on time, on budget, and with exactly the value the customer
expected, everyone involved is better for it.