34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) - Singapore, Singapore - 2026

https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0143

Dynamics of creative problem-solving within Last Planner sessions

Shoib Khan1 & Ivan Mutis2

1Graduate Civil Engineer, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering Department, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago, United States of America, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4854-9324
2Associate Professor, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering Department, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago, United States of America, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0003-2707-2701

Abstract

Lean Construction emphasizes reliable workflow, collaboration, and continuous improvement through structured planning practices such as the Last Planner System (LPS). Within this context, collaborative planning is a dynamic process in which project teams collectively respond to uncertainty, constraints, and changing site conditions. This study examines collaborative planning dynamics in LPS environments, focusing on interaction patterns and participants’ experiences related to creative problem-solving. An interpretive research approach is adopted, combining analysis of how communication unfolds among participants in LPS planning sessions with post-session survey and sentiment data collected from these construction professionals. Communication interaction data were analyzed to identify temporal patterns of participation, coordination, and engagement during problem-solving episodes. Survey responses captured participants’ perceptions of creativity, motivation, innovation, and frustration within Lean planning processes. Results indicate that collaborative planning in LPS sessions is structured yet adaptive, shaped by creative dynamics. Creative problem-solving typically emerges through intensified interaction, akin to creative speech (spontaneous, unscripted verbal exchanges), in which a small number of participants initiate solutions and others contribute through responsive coordination, as measured by patterns such as turn-taking balance and idea-building sequences. These findings offer practical insights for improving facilitation and collaboration in Lean planning under uncertainty.

Keywords

Lean Construction, Last Planner System, collaborative planning, creativity, problem-solving.

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Khan, S. & Mutis, I.. (2026). Dynamics of creative problem-solving within Last Planner sessions. In Hamzeh, F., Poshdar, M., & Garcia-Lopez,, N. P. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) (pp. 1523–1534). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0143

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Khan, S. & Mutis, I.. (2026). Dynamics of creative problem-solving within Last Planner sessions. IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0143

 

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