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

https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0171

The symphony of construction: a data-driven comparison of Takt and traditional construction

Mawara Khan1, Paulina Gollee2, Jaakko Riekki3, Christopher Görsch4 & Olli Seppänen5

1Doctoral Researcher, Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Finland, [email protected], orcid.org/0009-0001-1317-2931
2Doctoral Researcher, Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Finland, [email protected], orcid.org/0009-0003-5270-7737
3Doctoral Researcher, Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Finland, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-0306-2165
4Senior Scientist, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0001-9632-4031
5Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Finland, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-2008-5924

Abstract

The construction industry has been struggling with inefficiencies and operational flow interruptions in traditional project delivery. In contrast, the Takt planning method is emerging as a lean alternative designed to create a robust and streamlined trade flow. Despite growing takt adoption, the granular effects of takt versus traditional construction of individual worker flow have not been explored. This study conducts a comparative analysis of two case studies, one using traditional methods and one using takt planning. Analysis is based on quantitative indoor positioning system (IPS) data from workers on both projects. The findings reveal notable differences in operational flow. The quantitative data suggests that the traditional environment indicates a "stop-and-work" workflow with high variability and weak coordination between workers. In contrast, the Takt environment shows a stable, rhythmic, and highly synchronized workflow. The indicated contrast in the worker movement patterns suggests the practical differences between the two methods. This paper studies the effects of Takt on individual workers and movement-related waste compared to the traditional approach. The findings suggest that takt production is associated with reduced movement-related waste and more controlled operational flow.

Keywords

Worker tracking, Takt production, construction operations flow, indoor positioning, lean construction.

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Khan, M., Gollee, P., Riekki, J., Görsch, C. & Seppänen, O.. (2026). The symphony of construction: a data-driven comparison of Takt and traditional construction. 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. 50–61). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0171

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Khan, M., Gollee, P., Riekki, J., Görsch, C. & Seppänen, O.. (2026). The symphony of construction: a data-driven comparison of Takt and traditional construction. IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0171

 

Founded in 1993, the IGLC is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead.

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