Last Planner System – Areas of Application and Implementation Challenges

Abstract

In recent years projects have increasingly used Last Planner System (LPS) in\nbuilding construction. However project managers still struggle with figuring out how the\nLPS could be applied on their specific projects. One main reason for this struggle is that\nexplicit instructions for systematically applying LPS are not available. This thesis offers\npractitioners and researchers an account of LPS implementation challenges and an\nindication of how LPS can be applied. The thesis qualitatively aggregates the results of\n26 test case projects of LPS applications to show researchers and practitioners reasons\nwhy LPS was applied, what benefits were realized and what challenges were found\nduring the implementation. Senior and mid-level managers in AEC industry were\nsurveyed to assess the implementation challenges that they encountered. The main\nfindings of this analysis are; (1) that practitioners have used LPS for the purpose of\nmaking plans more reliable, (2) get smooth work flow (3) improve productivity. The\nsurvey findings imply that improvements in LPS implementation strategies can be made\nwhich will facilitate LPS adoption by the industry. The findings of this thesis suggest\nthat further research on the integration of LPS into work and business processes of project teams is needed to further the widespread use of LPS throughout the building\nindustry.