Since its introduction in 2012 by Lauri Koskela, Greg Howell, lean construction has been practiced widely in construction industry for its numerous benefits, such as cost mitigation and efficiency improvement.
Tools for implementing and promoting lean construction are varied, including Last Planner System (LPS), Building Information Modeling (BIM), Integrated Project Delivery, among others.
Yet, before applying the tools and techniques to ensure a lean construction project, investors and construction firms should keep in mind 6 following philosophies of lean construction:
1. Identify what clients value in a construction project
When approaching a construction project, most of traditional approaches answer the question ‘What to build’. Thus, it focuses on specifications and building plans. However, in lean construction, the question ‘Why building’ is more important than ‘what’. Capturing what clients value the most should be done in very early stage of the project.
2. Define a Value Stream
As understanding about what clients value in a building project, enterprises are expected to complete processes to offer clients with the values. The processes is called a Value Stream.
3. Eliminate Waste
The ultimate goal of Lean Construction concept is to mitigate costs, which are determined to originate from five main types: defects and errors, inaccurate estimation, delay, unqualified personnel, over processing (when features added bring no values to clients).
4. Clear instruction and communication
A smooth workflow keeps the construction project uninterrupted. In order to ensure a reliable and steady workflow, clear communication among relevant parties and within internal staff is necessary.
No payment in full until all works are completed
5. Close progress monitoring
A close monitoring of schedule is essential to eliminate unwanted cost arising during implementing a construction project. Investors and contractors should discuss an appropriate timeline ahead of deploying the project and closely monitor it during implementation.
6. Continual review and improvement
The centre of lean construction concept is the continual review and improvement. Periodic review allows the firms to see drawbacks that put the project under cost pressure, from which they can improve performance in the next phase of the project and in upcoming ones.
The aforementioned principles of lean construction are carefully followed by J & Partners. Clients trusting us with implementing lean construction are assisted by professional construction consultants in using effective tools and techniques for lean constructions.