https://doi.org/10.24928/2018/0452

Understanding the Effectiveness of Visual Management Best Practices in Construction Sites

Fernanda M. P. Brandalise¹, Caroline P. Valente², Daniela D. Viana³ & Carlos T. Formoso⁴

¹M.Sc. Student, Building Innovation Research Unit - NORIE, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, +55 51999302604, [email protected]
²M.Sc., Civil Engineer, Building Innovation Research Unit - NORIE, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, +61 406671148, [email protected]
³Associate Professor, Interdisciplinary Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil,[email protected]
⁴Professor, Building Innovation Research Unit - NORIE, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil,[email protected]

Abstract

Visual Management (VM) is a strategy for information management strongly related to one of the core concepts of Lean Production Philosophy, the increase of process transparency. VM is especially important to support continuous improvement and it relies on the effective transmission of information at different hierarchical levels. However, there are some challenges in the implementation of VM in construction: each construction project is unique, site layouts are dynamic environments, and the construction itself might become a visual barrier. This paper aims to analyse the role of a set of VM best practices to support production management, understanding the features that distinguish these practices as advanced ones, i.e. the reasons behind the effectiveness of some VM systems. It is based on two case studies carried out in leading companies in the implementation of Lean Construction in Brazil. Differently from previous studies on VM, this investigation explored the integration of those practices in managerial processes that might use a set of visual devices; whether visual devices are used dynamically in order to support decision-making, especially in collaborative processes. Another contribution of this paper is concerned with classifying VM best practices according to the degree of integration to the managerial routines.

Keywords

Visual Management, Transparency, Lean Construction, Production Planning and Control

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Reference

Brandalise, F. M. P. , Valente, C. P. , Viana, D. D. & Formoso, C. T. 2018. Understanding the Effectiveness of Visual Management Best Practices in Construction Sites, 26th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , 754-763. doi.org/10.24928/2018/0452

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