https://doi.org/10.24928/2021/0179

A Framework for Implementing the Last Planner® System in a Virtual Environment

Diana Salhab¹, Karim Noueihed², Ahed Fayek³, Farook Hamzeh⁴ & Ritu Ahuja⁵

¹Ph.D. Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta (U of A), Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0003-0307-6193
²M.Sc. Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, U of A, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0003-2449-3308
³M.Eng. Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, U of A, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-6124-6747
⁴Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, U of A, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-000203986-9534
⁵Lean Integration Leader, Kinetic Construction Ltd., Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0003-0941-4659

Abstract

The Last Planner® system (LPS) has witnessed a major shift in implementation at the onset of Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Governed by maintaining social distancing and many other safety restrictions, some construction practices including LPS implementation are now taking place in the virtual environment. However, potential challenges and enablers of implementing LPS in such an environment are yet to be investigated. This paper presents a framework based on lean philosophy and aims at successful implementation of LPS in a virtual environment. The framework calls for embracing a strong lean culture in the virtual work environment. The study also seeks to outline the challenges and enablers of this implementation. The framework was tested on a construction project through an expert panel. Results show that the framework is promising, and that although COVID-19 inflicted many challenges, it also had some positive impacts on LPS implementation. The framework will help practitioners and managers adopt a systematic approach from initiation to implementation of LPS in a virtual environment.

Keywords

Last Planner® System (LPS), challenges, enablers, COVID-19, virtual environment

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Reference

Salhab, D. , Noueihed, K. , Fayek, A. , Hamzeh, F. & Ahuja, R. 2021. A Framework for Implementing the Last Planner® System in a Virtual Environment, Proc. 29th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) , 75-84. doi.org/10.24928/2021/0179

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