Practical Implementation of Lean Principles in Construction Projects in Doha, Qatar

Operations and Information Management-Practical Implementation of Lean Principles in
construction 1
Term Paper
Date:
3000 words
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Abstract
The purpose of this paper was to initiate a practical implementation plan of lean principles and
tools in a construction project in Doha, Qatar. Being a developing country, Qatar needed to
initiate sustainable construction projects that would maximize value and wealth margin. In that
connection, last planner system was applied to realize that desire. This system enabled Qatar to
outdo the competition in construction. This was facilitated by lean construction that posted a lot
of benefits. The benefits that were identifiable with last planner system included low
construction cost, minimization of wastes, improving project completion time and saving on
space. Finally, many construction companies in Doha, Qatar managed to implement lean
principles and tools in construction projects.

Table of Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Last planner system.........................................................................................................................2
Benefits of last planner system in construction projects.................................................................5
Methodology....................................................................................................................................6
Case study background....................................................................................................................8
Research findings and results..........................................................................................................9
Survey questionnaire....................................................................................................................9
Outcome of survey questionnaire................................................................................................9
Critical success factor of the study................................................................................................10
Identified barriers hindering achievement of full potentials of LPS.............................................11
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................11
Reference.......................................................................................................................................11
Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to critically analyze the concept of lean principles and tools in terms
of execution of construction projects. Therefore, the main aim is to analyze a practical
implementation of lean principles and tools (last planer) in a construction project in Doha, Qatar.
Lean principles and tools are very applicable in the construction industry for projects that need to
be profitable in the future. There are many tools that can be applied in lean technology so as to
minimize wastes in materials, labour, and other resources in order to maximize profit margin.
Qatar is a developing country in terms of growth and development of infrastructure and other
construction projects. In that case, a developing country may not have modern technology to
design remarkable infrastructures and construction projects. The main cause of this assertion is
due to competition in the construction industry and lack of appropriate mechanisms to maximize
profit margins along with minimization of wastes associated with construction projects. In that
case, implementation of lean principles and tools in Doha, Qatar will bear significant progress in
designing infrastructure and construction projects.
Doha, Qatar is a place that attracts millions of tourists every year from all corners of the globe.
Therefore, the sustainability of construction projects needs to be well established so as to satisfy
the rising demand from customers. Implementation of lean principles and tools brings more
value to the development of infrastructure. This is because more quality work is delivered using
fewer resources. This is because the implementation process of these tools and principles is
associated with low costs, ability to reduce wastes, saving time in construction projects and
capital committed to these projects is also well planned. Again, the process applies less human
efforts thus becoming labour intensive. Lean technology also applies tools and principles to
design construction projects and infrastructure through the use of less space as compared to
traditional systems of construction projects1. Construction companies operating in Doha, Qatar
will be in a position to initiate a construction program that will provide quality products and
services that are less costly. These products and services are also characterized will lack defects,
unlike traditional construction system that produced products that are defective.
1 A. Asefeso, Lean in Construction: (Key to Improvement in Time, Cost and Quality),
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014, pp. 25-27.