Applying Lean Construction Principles to the Construction Industry

In order to achieve maximum benefits from lean construction, all stakeholders must be aligned and have the same goal. This includes contractors, architects, and suppliers. Having a common goal helps all members of a construction team make the best decisions for the client's project. By following lean construction principles, project milestones are achieved faster. And because all project stakeholders work in partnership, everyone's expectations are clearly defined. The unified purpose also makes sure that everyone is working towards the same goal - to provide an outstanding project for the client.

As a construction industry leader, you can be part of this movement and implement some of its principles. For example, Sundt Lean construiction principles used lean and BIM to build the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 4 at Arizona State University. They saved $2 million from the project, worked to meet a strict schedule, and aligned all stakeholders around the schedule. They reduced wait times, optimized resource efficiency, and used BIM to maximize off-site prefabrication opportunities. Combined, these measures helped the project to come in under budget and complete two-thirds of the project's original schedule.

Achieving success in lean requires an individual to adopt the right mindset and practices. Those who follow the principles of lean construction without understanding their reasoning will likely fail to achieve the results they desire. Those who embrace lean as a complete approach see increased customer satisfaction, quality, and productivity. In fact, lean's popularity has led to countless variants, including Six Sigma and Theory of Constraints.

Applying lean construction principles to the construction industry can help companies improve their processes and improve the quality of their finished products. By focusing on continuous improvement, lean construction practices can improve the quality of construction, resulting in better results and fewer waste. Further, applying lean principles can help organizations achieve this goal while maintaining their standardized processes. And since constructors don't control the entire supply chain, implementing the principles is vital to improving quality and customer satisfaction.

Another important principle is deferring commitment. Taking commitment too early can result in products that are not up to date, reducing value and creating unnecessary waste. Thus, it is important for businesses operating under the principles of lean to make decisions at the last responsible moment. With relevant information available and their employees empowered to make the best decisions, they can focus on the task at hand. That way, they can complete the project ahead of schedule and without stress.

Moreover, lean construction principles can benefit other industries, as well. In the construction industry, they can reduce labor costs, improve quality, and enhance morale. These factors can increase the customer satisfaction and boost morale. So, many companies are beginning to adopt lean construction as an effective strategy. But before adopting this method, it is necessary to understand why lean construction works. If you are still not convinced, read on to learn how it can improve your business.