APPLICATION OF LEAN MANUFACTURING PRINCIPLES TO CONSTRUCTION

The subject set forth in the reviewed CII report #191, authored by James E. Diekmann, Mark Krewedl, Joshua Balonick, Travis Stewart, and Spencer Wonis, is concerned with the applicability of “lean production” principles, currently being implemented in manufacturing, to the construction industry. The manufacturing industry has seen dramatic improvements in productivity and quality, while reducing cost and lead times. The construction industry has not seen such positive results. Improvement opportunities are in demand. However, both of these industries involve the management of complex operations and strive to deliver a quality product in the shortest feasible time possible. Moreover, in each of these industries it is important to save money and stay competitive. Given these similarities, we wish to decipher if the lean manufacturing principles can be applied to construction and if similar benefits could result. The primary question in this report that the authors seek to answer is, “Does lean practice hold potential for improving construction?”