IGLC.net
EXPORT DATE: 19 June 2026

@CONFERENCE{Dewlen2026,
author={Dewlen, Kevin },
editor={Hamzeh, Farook and Poshdar, Mani and Garcia-Lopez,, Nelly P. },
title={“Silent partners” of high-performing Lean Construction teams: oxytocin and heart rate}, 
journal={Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34)}, 
booktitle={Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34)}, 
year={2026},
pages={947-956},
url={http://www.iglc.net/papers/details/2448},
doi={10.24928/2026/0120},
affiliation={Senior Lean Coach, BA Science, Boulder Associates, Boulder, USA, kdewlen@boulderassociates.com, orcid.org/009-0008-0378-7757 },
abstract={The neurobiological factors oxytocin and heart rate in high-performing lean construction teams are introduced alongside human relational elements, including trust, empathy, collaboration, and psychological safety. Researched heavily in traditional business organizations, to date no studies have looked at neurobiological factors in high-performing teams in the integrated project delivery (IPD) and collaborative project delivery (CPD) realms. The unique qualities of IPD/CPD design–construction teams, and the tools and interactions used, are compared with traditional business teams, which have been cultivated over years, versus IPD/CPD team cultures, which are established within weeks, but are expected to perform at comparatively high levels. The intent of this paper is to show, conceptually, how lean design–construction of large commercial projects could potentially benefit from future studies that measure neurobiological factors such as oxytocin and heart rate. An in-process lean construction observational study demonstrates how two neurobiological factors, the “silent partners” oxytocin and heart rate, can be evaluated in IPD/CPD teams. The discussion provides a strong conceptual basis for future research of IPD/CPD design–construction teams that could result in real-time data, biometrics, and returns on investments on different tools used that allow practitioners to achieve better team coaching and leadership, improving overall project success. },
author_keywords={Communication, trust, psychological safety, oxytocin, theory. },
address={Singapore, Singapore },
issn={2789-0015 },
publisher={ },
language={English},
document_type={Conference Paper},
source={IGLC},
}