Lean Principles and the Construction Main Flows

Abstract

This paper will discuss the five lean principles (value, value stream, flow, pull, perfection) and some specific construction characteristics, proposing three main flows for the analysis of construction: business, job site and supply flows. In manufacturing, the three flows (from order to cash, concept to launch, materials to customer) can be well characterized inside one plant, inside one corporation, or within the total value chain. Considering the total value stream in construction, from order to cash has an strong interface with the cycle from concept to launch. This cycle was named Business Flow, or from business concept to keys delivery, and includes the design flow as a sub-flow. The raw materials to customer main cycles are: the Supply Flow (within the total value stream) and the Job Site Flow (door to door on a job site).