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Lean Implementation at the Project Level

Publication No
RS234-1
Type
Research & Development Product
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2007
Pages
26
Research Team
RT-234
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DOCUMENT DETAILS
Abstract
Key Findings
Filters & Tags
Abstract
In 2004, the Construction Industry Institute (CII) investigated how lean principles could be applied to construction. Building on this work, CII initiated the Lean Implementation at the Project Level Research Team to uncover and understand the secrets
Key Findings
Lean implementation begins with leadership commitment and is sustained with a culture of continuous improvement. Without deep commitment and consistent leadership, project teams tend to slip back into old habits of thought and action once the going gets tough. (RS234-1, p. 15)

Lean is a fundamental business philosophy, one that is most effective when shared throughout the entire value stream. The lean ideal is “to provide a custom product exactly fit for purpose and delivered instantly with no waste.” RT-234 identified 5 lean construction principles for use on projects: (RS234-1, p. 2)

  1. Customer focus
  2. Culture and people
  3. Standardization and stabilization
  4. Waste elimination
  5. Continuous improvement and built in quality
Early adopters of lean have experienced some project success from the application of select lean tools, but true progress requires a lean business philosophy. One common theme on the deployment of lean within an organization is “Learn from one’s mistakes.” Learning by doing is an important part of any lean organization. (RS234-1, p. 8)
Due to the variability and scope of construction, there is no possible way to teach lean in a traditional academic sense. Learning in the field on a construction site was by far the most popular way of training. (RS234-1, p. 9)
Filters & Tags
Knowledge Area
Business and Project Processes, Construction Execution, Design Planning & Optimization
Project Phase
Feasibility, Concept, Detailed Scope, Detailed Design (Engineering), Procurement, Construction, Commissioning & Startup, Handover & Closeout
Project Function
Project Business Sponsor, Project Management, Project Controls, Procurement & Contracts, Construction, Commissioning & Startup, Operations & Maintenance, Health, Safety & Environmental, Risk Management, Quality Management, SBU/Corporate Functions
Industry Group
Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial, Buildings, Infrastructure
Research Topic
Implementation Road Map of Lean Construction at Project Level
Keywords
Lean, Road Map, Planners, Lean Construction, Lean Enterprise, Lean Project Delivery, Implementation Road Map, Production Control, Just in Time, rt234

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