Lean Construction is a method for designing production systems in the construction industry with the goal of reducing time, effort, and material waste.
This type of construction ensures that a project is completed quickly and that fewer costs are incurred during the construction process. Additionally, Lean Construction aims to maximise the value and minimise the costs associated with maintaining, designing, planning and activating construction projects. Globally, the use of Lean Construction increases the productivity of the construction industry.
Lean Construction has the following key characteristics:
- Parallel design and construction.
- Explicitly defined goals for the delivery process.
- Use of project control carried out over the entire life cycle of the project from design planning to delivery.
All people involved in the lean construction project, from the constructors, architects, designers, and owners, to the final construction crew, are considered to ensure that the construction project is of high quality, delivered faster, and costs less.
Lean thinking principles are applied in the implementation of Lean Construction. The application of lean design principles results in a highly profitable and flexible company.
These principles include:
- The customer perspective is considered when defining the design value of the construction process: Ideas that result in large performance gains are considered to improve the performance of the construction project.
- Proactive implementation of project cost and control management: Measurement of project planning performance based on results achieved. A metric is used to define planning to be used in lean construction.
- Expertise takes precedence in solving a problem that can be solved in a day versus the normal process used to solve the same problem in a week.
Benefits of Lean Construction Management:
- Generation of quality profit margins
- Fast realisation of investment
- Better use of materials and time
- High Safety methods
- Fewer scope changes
- Protecting the environment and respecting workers provides a better social infrastructure
Lean design and construction are important as capital goods are built in an organised manner. The results achieved impact everyone involved in the construction process. Starting with the savvy owners of the structure to the users of the built facility.
Tenants living in a building built using the Lean Design approach can realise significant savings in rental costs compared to a traditional approach. This is because the cost and break-even point of implementing the Lean Design approach are conceivably low.
The lean design approach focuses on sustainable building practices that preserve the environment and ensure green business practices. This method also takes advantage of solar energy, maximising energy use in the design of the building floor plan.
Additionally, the implementation of Lean Design results in minimal construction waste and byproducts that are not harmful to the environment. The end results are beneficial to both direct and indirect community stakeholders.
Lean construction designs lead to competition among construction suppliers. Domestic contractors who are in a better competitive position improve the local economy and create new jobs.
Also, Lean construction has many similarities with BIM, as both aim to optimise construction projects. BIM was introduced as a solution to inefficient construction projects and was gradually adopted by the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry in the mid-2000s .
It has been shown for years that the appropriate implementation of BIM can significantly improve the performance and productivity of construction projects. BIM Technologies also helps the design team detect errors using digital models, which helps avoid conflicts and identify overlaps and disruptions during the design and construction phases.
Lean construction makes projects more efficient
Lean Construction is a method that strives to eliminate waste and enhance value in the construction industry. It involves the integration of all stakeholders, the clarification of objectives and expectations, and the application of lean thinking principles.
In the long run, Lean Construction can lead to faster delivery, lower costs, higher quality, and greater customer satisfaction.