Lean Construction

The application of a new production philosophy, leading to "lean production" (using less space, less human effort, less product development time etc), is expected to change almost every industry and bring about radical changes in the organization of work. This text examines this process. In 'lean production' two types of activity are recognized. Conversion activities which add value to the material or piece of information being transformed into a product, and flows (inspection, waiting, moving), through which the conversion activities are bound together, but which do not add value. 'Lean production' seeks to improve the reliability (or even the elimination) of the non value adding flow activities, and strives to make the conversion activities more efficient. During the last four years an increasing number of researchers have joined efforts to investigate the implications of lean production to construction. They have shared their views and experiences with people from the industry, suggested new approaches to lean construction and worked to advance a new theory of production in construction. This book summarizes the new and evolving conceptualization of lean construction, by collecting the work developed by members of The International Group on Lean Construction, during the last three years. The authors coming from different backgrounds, include people both from industry and academia. The book covers theoretical aspects as well as relevant areas for lean construction such as performance measurement, improvement tools, implementation issues, and case studies. The result is a challenging exchange of ideas and experiences which includes stories of success and also some of failure This book looks at the application of a new production philosophy, leading to "lean production" (using less space, less human effort, less product development time etc), is expected to change almost every industry and bring about radical changes