Lean Construction: From Theory to Implementation

TLDR

Lean construction shares many elements with lean manufacturing but differs due to site‑specific challenges, and although still developing, its growing popularity stems from its potential to improve project bottom lines. The study investigates the application of specific lean construction elements within a single construction project. The authors evaluated each technique’s impact on project performance and developed a lean assessment tool covering six elements—last planner, visualization, huddle meetings, first‑run studies, five S’s, and fail‑safe quality. The study proposes a new lean assessment tool and demonstrates a simple, transferable approach that can quantify lean implementation outcomes across projects.

Abstract

This article compares the techniques developed for lean construction with those developed for lean manufacturing. Lean manufacturing and lean construction techniques share many common elements despite the obvious differences in their assembly environments and processes. Manufacturing plants and construction sites are different in many ways that might explain why lean production theories and practices do not fully fit the construction industry. Though many lean construction tools and elements are still in an embryonic state, lean construction techniques are gaining popularity because they can affect the bottom line of projects. Additionally, this paper presents a study of a construction project in which specific lean construction elements were tested. Each technique was evaluated in terms of its impact on the performance of the project. Based on the findings of the study, a new "lean assessment tool" is proposed to quantify the results of lean implementations. The assessment tool evaluates six lean construction elements: last planner, increased visualization, huddle meetings, first-run studies, five S's, and fail safe for quality. This paper provides a simple and comprehensive approach that is transferable to any construction project.