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

https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0155

Implementation of the Last Planner® System on a port project – evidence from Ireland

William Power1, Emmanuel Daniel2 & Eddie O’Keeffe3

1Lean Construction Coach, Lean and Agile Construction, Killarney, Co. Kerry, V93 ND71, Ireland, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0001-5791-846X
2Associate Professor (Reader) in Sustainable Construction Management, School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-5675-1845 3 Construction Director, Wills Bros Ltd., Willow House, The Waterways, Oberstown, Sallins, Co. Kildare, W91 FH75. Ireland. [email protected]
3

Abstract

Evidence of using Last Planner System on Port and Maritime projects is scarce in construction literature. This study presents the benefits and challenges accruing from implementing all functions of the Production Planning and Control process on a Port project in Ireland. This qualitative research adopted a mixed-methods approach utilising a case study design and data collected from semi-structured interviews and observation. Findings highlight productivity and schedule alignment opportunities accruing from a collaborative planning routine and cycle from the Last Planner System application. Challenges included the uniqueness of the Port project and maintaining the team’s diligent focus on adherence to the process. Key lessons reinforce senior leadership support for the implementation, early training and education for the team, effective communication to crew level, utilising digital solutions to support visualisation, and not rushing to digital solutions until a solid understanding of the Last Planner System is in place. Recommendations suggest Planned Percent Complete focuses on critical path performance, Pull Plan milestones address key land and water-based activity interfaces, and consideration is given to on-going coaching and facilitation to embed Last Planner System principles.

Keywords

Last Planner System, pull planning, lookahead planning, constraints, Planned Percent Complete.

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Power, W., Daniel, E. & O’Keeffe, E.. (2026). Implementation of the Last Planner® System on a port project – evidence from Ireland. 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. 1559–1570). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0155

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Power, W., Daniel, E. & O’Keeffe, E.. (2026). Implementation of the Last Planner® System on a port project – evidence from Ireland. IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0155

 

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