Construction companies are under intense pressure to run programmes efficiently. Increasing costs and complex schedules make it hard to complete projects on time and within budget. Traditional management techniques can\u2019t always deliver the right result. But lean construction may provide the answer project managers are looking for.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re new to this concept, here\u2019s our quick guide to lean construction. Keep reading to learn what it is, why it\u2019s a good idea, and how to introduce lean construction to your business.<\/p>\n
Lean construction is a project planning and management methodology. It\u2019s an alternative to the waterfall method traditionally used in the construction industry.<\/p>\n
Lean construction is based on a set of agile development principles called The Last Planner. They were developed by Glenn Ballard (former Head of Toyota Training International) and his colleague, Greg Howell, in the 1990s.<\/p>\n
Rather than designing and planning up-front, lean construction uses a dynamic model. Work is broken down into short phases, and teams focus on completing a specific set of tasks. All tasks must be completed before moving on to the next phase, eliminating gaps in work. This technique is also referred to as \u2018pull planning\u2019.<\/p>\n
Lean building construction is more collaborative and iterative than the waterfall method. Teams give input in real-time, rather than being handed a schedule and only commenting when there\u2019s a problem.<\/p>\n
The easiest way to understand lean construction principles is to think of a restaurant kitchen. The chef will design the menu and order the ingredients ahead of time. But they\u2019ll only start cooking dishes once service begins and they receive an order.<\/p>\n
The chef will communicate continuously with kitchen staff and front of house, tailoring dishes to each customer. They\u2019ll also report back any changes to the menu as service continues.<\/p>\n
By collaborating, the restaurant team satisfies customers while running a profitable, waste-efficient operation.<\/p>\n
The lean construction approach is gaining popularity in construction \u2013 and with good reason. There are many benefits to running projects using Last Planning principles<\/a>:<\/p>\n Moving to lean construction principles involves a complete mindset change, so you may wish to start small. Running a pilot shows the benefits of lean construction<\/a> for projects and irons out any initial issues.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need technologies in place to help your teams collaborate. We recommend investing in\u00a0Asta Connect<\/a>\u00a0to scope and execute lean construction projects.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve chosen your planning solution, the next step is to secure buy-in with your teams. Everyone must understand how lean construction works, as it relies on collaboration.<\/p>\n You may want to consider running introductory workshops to build people\u2019s skills. At the very least, everyone will need access to your project management system.<\/p>\n\n
How to implement lean construction in your business<\/h3>\n