Lean Construction?

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Author Message David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 1648 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 - 06:26 pm:    Here is what I gleaned from the Wikipedia entry: “Lean construction is concerned with the alignment and holistic pursuit of concurrent and continuous improvements in all dimensions of the built and natural environment: design, construction, activation, maintenance, salvaging, and recycling.” Okay, I give up. What is it really? David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant Axt Consulting LLC J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 1031 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 - 07:33 pm:    Doing the mostest, fastest, with the leastest. In unsophisticated hands, can be like the worst VE stuff. J. Peter Jordan, FCSI, AIA, CCS, LEED AP, SCIP Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 384 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 - 09:26 pm:    I do not know what it means for construction, but I have seen it do wonders for manufacturers. - Better scheduling - Less inventory - Cross trained staff - Redesigning production systems for more efficiency. - Less rework to correct defects. - Quality control at every person on the factory floor. - Redesigned products to streamline production. Things like using one part for several models. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937 www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 240 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - 12:00 pm:    See https://www.leanconstruction.org/ Mark Gilligan SE, Senior Member Username: mark_gilligan Post Number: 853 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 - 06:28 pm:    Lean Construction is about applying the lessons learned from Toyota to Construction and design. It is a different way of thinking. Some individuals will try to define it in terms of what they are used to when it is not. It is not a list of things you do and it is not a state of being. Toyota talks about the 4 Ps Philosophy Process People Problem solving Having said that the Lean Construction has adopted a number of tools that you can learn about but the tools are not essential to lean. The tools are techniques for attaching waste . People often talk about Lean Construction Contracts which typical incorporate unique features. It is important to understand that a successful lean construction project requires the active participation of the Owner. You should either drink the Kool aide or not call your project Lean Construction. Lean Construction tends to be more beneficial on larger projects. This is because the overhead is higher. Projects that are actively managed and embody lean principals have a very good record in eliminating adverse impacts. In addition there is essentially no litigation on Lean Construction Projects. Ron Beard CCS Senior Member Username: rm_beard_ccs Post Number: 443 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2018 - 02:38 am:    Will there ever be a Lean Specifier? "Fast is good, but accurate is better." .............Wyatt Earp David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 241 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2018 - 08:41 am:    Mark Gilligan, thank you for your explanation. An important aspect of Lean philosophy is the Last Planner concept. In my limited understanding, each participant is granted authority and responsibility for quality and time, and the outcomes are shared by all. Part of the problem with putting these ideas into practice is capitalist culture, which perpetuates the notion that everything is a race and there can be only one winner. Those at the so-called bottom are reluctant to take risk for fear of being shorted, and those at the so-called top are reluctant to share rewards with those who they think are undeserving. In my neck of the woods, there is a construction management firm that has successfully applied Lean concepts to large complex projects. Working with them has been a positive experience. Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 345 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2018 - 09:27 am:    Ron, I'm going to be a lean specifier after I lose some weight. The reason I can laugh at this concept is that we've all been on projects where the Owner announced (at the eleventh hour), and make sure this project conforms to lean construction practices. Seems like a good idea, but how would I know? - Mark Gilligan SE, Senior Member Username: mark_gilligan Post Number: 854 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2018 - 12:46 pm:    The "capitalist culture" problem is addressed by using a different form of contract that has all of the key players sharing in the risks as well as the benefits. Thus it does the Contractor no good to try to optimize its profit at the cost of the Owner. In addition certain risks are retained by the Owner. Lean Construction practices need to be applied very early in the project and the Owner needs to be an active participant. An Owner that tries to implement Lean late in the process does not get it. When this happens the problem is not with the project delivery methodology but rather the problem is with the failure to apply the methodology. Last Planner is a powerful tool but it is not an essential component of Lean. Having said that you will likely see Last Planner used on practically all Lean Construction Projects. To do Lean Construction right requires a lot of work and anybody who fails to recognize this does not understand Lean. If you want to know more I recommend you contact the local Lean Construction Institute Community of Practice group.