Lean Construction: Maximizing Value and Reducing Waste in the Construction Industry

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Lean Construction
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Introduction
The good thing about lean methodologies is how they can be applied in different
industries. The Toyota production system first used this methodology. They aimed at
eliminating waste at manufacturing system. However, lean is a new concept in the
construction industry. For a very long time, the construction industry has greatly suffered
because of lack of system improvement and innovation (Pasternack, 2008). One of the
significant challenges facing the construction industry is the delay and lack of higher costs.
This has made the productivity of the construction industry to be falling behind at a worrying
rate. Safety standards are said to have gone down as many injuries and death are reported to
occur at different construction sites globally which have been associated with the design
process (Pasternack, 2008). Labor efficiency has also decreased. Thus most of the executives
in the construction industry feel that there is a need for the implementation of lean
methodologies to solve some of these problems. The lean method can be used to improve,
streamline and transform processes in the construction industry.
Lack of improvement in this industry may have been caused by various reasons
including craft-oriented culture. Poor possess innovation, poor safety standards, increased
regulation, industry fragmentation, and lack of mutual trust between those who are involved
in it. Thus many of the organization are now turning to lean methodology to look for
solutions to these issues (Conte, 2002). Applying lean methods in construction has so far
assisted in:
 Improving safety standards
 High productivity
 High profits at a reduced cost
 Proper risk management

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 Reduced project schedule
What is LEAN?
Lean happens to be a methodology aiming at maximizing value and reducing waste
and cost in a production process. It was first developed by the Toyota Company when it was
looking for a way in which it would have competed effectively with its western competitors.
Toyota came up with different practices which were named the Toyota production system.
The practices were aiming at maximizing the value created and minimizing waste. Through
this principles, Toyota was able to compete effectively with its competitors. Lean
methodology became well known after different manufacturing organization started adopting
the Toyota manufacturing practices. However, organization that tried to copy this practices
without understanding them failed terribly. However, those company that holistically applied
lean methodologies saw a significant improvement in productivity, quality, customer
satisfaction, and safety
After many years other types of methodologies emerged from the lean method. They
included lean six- sigma, the theory of constraints, just in time and quality management.
Because of its effectiveness lean is used in manufacturing industries. It is usually viewed as a
cost-cutting measure. However, the primary goal of lean methodology is not to cut cost but
coming up with a general process by which an organization can improve profits and create
value
Businesses in different industries use the lean methodology to reduce cost, streamline
their workflow, and to improve quality and mainly in software developments teams.
How to apply lean in construction industries

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Just like the automotive industry in the mid-twentieth century, the construction industry is
ready for significant changes (Locatelli, Mancini & Romano, 2013). However, the
construction industry faces some very specials challenges that make the application of lean
methodology in this industry different from other` industries. Many of the construction
projects tend to be varied and complex. They also need to be completed in unclear
environments, at given time and with a lot of pressure (Locatelli, Mancini & Romano, 2013).
Thus many organizations are looking at how they can use the lean methodology to improve
how practices, processes, and people are tailored together to complete a construction project
effectively.
However, in construction projects, primary goals and priorities are always the same.
They include reducing costs by performing tasks based on the schedule, improving workflow
reliability, reducing the inventory of tools and material (Conte, 2002). However, there is
different variation in the construction industry. These are inventory issues, inaccurate plans,
inclement weather, and change of requirements.
However, the primary aim of the lean construction is not to get rid of this differences
because that cannot be an attainable or realistic goal (Pinch, 2005). However leans aims at
making sure that in every project there is an opportunity to reduce the effects caused by this
variability (Picchi &Granja, 2004). Thus lean methodology helps people to recognize the
different areas of improvement which they can act upon in a conductive, valuable and
measurable manner (Locatelli, Mancini & Romano, 2013). Lean methodology needs to be
seen as a replacement to the traditional methods. Thus lean construction helps the people
involved to know how information, people and materials, can be used appropriately to give
high-quality results according to the budget and time
Lean construction building blocks