TY - CONF TI - Simulation of Construction Processes: Traditional Practices Versus Lean Principles C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 39 EP - 50 PY - 1999 AU - Al-Sudairi, Abdulsalam A. AU - Diekmann, James E. AU - Songer, Anthony D. AU - Brown, Hyman M. AD - Graduate Student, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, alsudair@rtt.colorado.edu AD - Professor, Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado- Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, diekmann@spot.colorado.edu. AD - Assistant Professor, Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309 AD - Senior Instructor, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado-Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309 AB - Lean manufacturing theory is founded on several key principles: specify value by product, rethink your operating methods, focus on actual objects from beginning to completion, release resources for delivery just when needed and strive for perfection. Transferring these principles from manufacturing to the construction domain is of ongoing interest for construction researchers. However, modifying real construction processes is expensive, time consuming and difficult. This paper reports interim results of a study to evaluate lean principles when applied to construction using computer simulation. Data for a structural steel erection process was modeled in ExtendÒ to form the experimental tool for evaluating lean principles. In all cases, the simulated principles improved project performance. Performance improved dramatically when all principles are simultaneously applied. However, the erection process became volatile and fragile when it was subjected to changes and uncertainties from outside of the process. Maintaining a zero buffer at the erection site made the process extremely fragile. This study demonstrates the need for a broad systems view when one is considering lean modifications to a construction process. KW - Lean principles KW - lean construction KW - process simulation KW - buffer size KW - volatility. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/59/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/59 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Playing Games: Evaluating the Impact of Lean Production Strategies on Project Cost and Schedule C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 263 EP - 274 PY - 1999 AU - Alarcon, Luis F. AU - Ashley, David B. AD - Professor of Civil Engineering, Universidad Católica de Chile, Escuela de Ingeniería, Casilla 306, Correo 22, Santiago, Chile, lalarcon@ing.puc.cl, Visiting Professor, The Ohio State University. AD - Dean, College of Engineering and The John C. Geupel Chair in Civil Engineering. The Ohio State University, 142 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210- 1278, ashley.33@osu.edu. AB - There are several games which are used to demonstrate the practical implications of some Lean Production Concepts such as the impact of uncertainty on productivity and project duration, push and pull approaches to production or the impact of multitasking. These games are very appealing to the players and the observers by illustrating the detrimental impact of some current practices on project performance. They are also useful by illustrating the impact on some of these practices on project results. This paper reports an attempt to take the benefits of a simple game, the “Dice Game”, one step further by using a simulation model inspired in this game to explore some research questions which can not be addressed in the original game. The paper presents the results of an extensive analysis of project conditions where production variability and buffer size were used as the main input variable and project cost and schedule were used as the main output variables. The analysis addresses among other research questions the impact of buffering on project duration and cost, the impact of production variability on project productivity and suggest some guidance to select buffer sizes for minimum project cost. KW - Lean production KW - lean construction KW - buffering KW - management games KW - project planning KW - simulation. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/60/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/60 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Evaluation and Improvement of the Procurement Process in Construction Projects C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 219 EP - 230 PY - 1999 AU - Alarcon, Luis F. AU - Rivas, Rodrigo AU - Serpell, Alfredo AD - Professor of Civil Engineering, Universidad Católica de Chile, Escuela de Ingeniería, Casilla 306, Correo 22, Santiago, Chile, lalarcon@ing.puc.cl. Visiting Professor, The Ohio State University. AD - Graduate Student, Universidad Católica de Chile, Escuela de Ingeniería, Casilla 306, Correo 22, Santiago, Chile, rivlop@netline.cl. AD - Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, Universidad Católica de Chile, Escuela de Ingeniería, Casilla 306, Correo 22, Santiago, Chile, aserpell@ing.puc.cl. AB - A methodology to diagnose and evaluate the procurement process for investment projects, and launch a continuous improvement was developed and applied to selected projects. A thorough literature review was carried out along with study of cases, surveys and interviews to professionals involved in this area. As a result, a methodology for diagnosis and improvement was proposed and tested in selected projects. The results obtained show that the main problem of procurement is related to schedule delays and lack of specified quality for the project. To prevent this situation it is often necessary to dedicate important resources (money, personnel, time, etc.) to monitor and control the process. When applying the methodology to some projects, it was found that the main sources of “waste” were engineering, the system itself, the suppliers, and the policies. A great potential for improvement was detected if state of the art technologies such as, electronic mail, EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), bar codes, and other systems were applied to the procurement process. These technologies could help to eliminate the root causes for many types of wastes that were detected. KW - Lean construction KW - procurement KW - performance indicators KW - process improvement PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/61/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/61 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Improving Work Flow Reliability C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 275 EP - 286 PY - 1999 AU - Ballard, Glenn AD - Director of Research, Lean Construction Institute, and Lecturer, Construction Engineering and Management Program, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, 4536 Fieldbrook Road, Oakland, CA 94619, 510/530-8656, FAX 510/530-2048, ballard@ce.berkeley.edu AB - Improving work flow reliability is important for the productivity of linked production units, and consequently for project cost and duration. One measure of work flow reliability is PPC, the percentage of planned assignments completed. A proposal is made for experiments to increase PPC. Four actions are proposed and explained. Only the fourth action, underloading resources relative to capacity, is developed in detail in this paper. The potential impacts of improving PPC on project cost and schedule are described. KW - Capacity KW - decomposition KW - design process KW - explosion KW - flow KW - last planner KW - lean construction KW - load KW - productivity KW - project planning and control KW - reliability KW - throughput KW - variability. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/62/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/62 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Terrain Scanning Methodology for Construction Supply Chains C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 195 EP - 206 PY - 1999 AU - Barker, R. AU - Hong-Minh, S.M. AU - Naim, M.M. AD - Research Associate, Logistics Systems Dynamics Group, Department of Maritime Studies and International Transport, Cardiff University, P.O. Box 907, Cardiff, CF1 3YP., Tel: (44) 1222 876312, Fax: (44) 1222 874301, BarkerR1@cardiff.ac.uk AD - Research Associate, Logistics Systems Dynamics Group, Department of Maritime Studies and International Transport, Cardiff University, P.O. Box 907, Cardiff, CF1 3YP., Tel: (44) 1222 874271, Fax: (44) 1222 874301, HongMinhSM@cardiff.ac.uk AD - Reader, Logistics Systems Dynamics Group, Department of Maritime Studies and International Transport, Cardiff University, P.O. Box 907, Cardiff, CF1 3YP., Tel: (44) 1222 874637, Fax: (44) 1222 874301, NaimMM@cardiff.ac.uk AB - The paper defines a Terrain Scanning Methodology (TSM) for undertaking a health check of individual businesses and whole supply chains in the construction industry. Building on previous research in a variety of market sectors the TSM aims to minimise resources required in undertaking a diagnostic while still allowing a high degree of scope. The TSM takes into account the constituent flow on the supply chain, the issues governing supply chain change and the level of business process detail. An application of the TSM in a house building supply chain is given and a critical analysis of the TSM undertaken. The paper concludes that while the TSM has its limitations as a stand alone exercise it can be seen as a vital first step for companies to understand and document their supply chains before embarking on a long term supply chain engineering program. KW - Supply chain KW - business process analysis KW - process mapping KW - supply chain engineering KW - house building PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/63/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/63 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Entrepreneurial Strategies and New Forms of Rationalisation of Production in the Building Construction Sector of Brazil and France C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 369 EP - 380 PY - 1999 AU - Cardoso, Francisco F. AD - Assistant Professor, Civil Construction Engineering Department, Escola Politécnica of the University of Sao Paulo, CP 61548, 05424-970, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil, +55 (11) 818 5469, fax: +55 (11) 818 5715, fcardoso@pcc.usp.br. AB - This article presents an inquiry-research conducted in France (Cardoso 1996) which was aimed at identifying and analysing new forms of rationalisation of production employed in the building sector, both in France and Brazil, in the light of strategies of the building construction firms. The above mentioned research dealt with the issue of the productive competence of the building construction firm, not only by means of higher efficiency but also of the perception of meso and macroeconomics contexts of where the production system is situated; this is done based on the competitors viewpoint. KW - Strategic planning KW - competitive advantage KW - production strategy KW - building construction KW - construction enterprises. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/64/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/64 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Space Scheduling Using Flow Analysis C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 299 EP - 312 PY - 1999 AU - Choo, Hyun Jeong AU - Tommelein, Iris D. AD - Ph.D. Student, Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt. Program, Civil and Envir. Engrg. Dept., 215 McLaughlin Hall #1712, Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, choohj@ce.berkeley.edu AD - Associate Professor, Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt. Program, Civil and Envir. Engrg. Dept., 215 McLaughlin Hall #1712, Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, tommelein@ce.berkeley.edu, tel: 510/643-8678, fax: 510/643-8919. AB - WorkMovePlan combines the Last Planner methodology, implemented in the WorkPlan software, with space scheduling. This allows the Last Planner to not only specify labor and equipment but also space as an explicit resource. WorkPlan guides the user step by step to plan work for the week ahead through the process of spelling out work packages, identifying constraints, checking constraint satisfaction, releasing work packages, and allocating labor and equipment; then at the end of the week, collecting field progress data and reasons for plan failure. WorkMovePlan extends these capabilities by allowing a user to specify site space needs on a day-to-day basis for labor, equipment, and materials in terms of work-, laydown-, or staging area as needed throughout the execution of a work package. WorkMovePlan also makes it possible for the user to designate the flow path that will be followed during movement. This user data then serves as input to simulate traffic on site. Output of the simulation helps the user assess the feasibility and desirability of traffic flow paths and thereby gauge the quality of a work sequence. This systematic approach helps the user create quality work plans and learn from understanding reasons for failure. The functionality of WorkMovePlan is detailed in this paper. KW - Last Planner KW - WorkMovePlan KW - WorkPlan KW - weekly work plan KW - database KW - lean construction KW - work package KW - constraint KW - layout planning KW - space scheduling KW - materials management KW - simulation KW - flow. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/65/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/65 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Integrated Production Scheduler for Construction Look-Ahead Planning C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 287 EP - 298 PY - 1999 AU - Chua, David K.H. AU - Jun, Shen Li AU - Hwee, Bok Shung AD - Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil Engrg., National Univ. of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260, 65/874-2195, cvedavid@nus.edu.sg AD - Research Scholar, Dept. of Civil Engrg., National Univ. of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260, 65/874-6498, engp8591@nus.edu.sg AD - Senior CAD/CAM Specialist, National Univ. of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore 119260, 65/874-2599, engboksh@leonis.nus.edu.sg AB - Enhancing the reliability of planning is the key to achieving stable construction flow and, subsequently, high productivity and improved product quality. Traditional look-ahead scheduling tools are not suitable for producing robust work schedules. Being aware of the inherent problems in traditional scheduling methods, we propose an improved scheduling tool, the Integrated Production Scheduler system, to help produce quality-assured look-ahead schedules by incorporating integrated information on the availability of resources and information into activities. This tool is developed specially for implementing Lean Construction philosophy in construction process design. Its principles for achieving a quality, timely and transparent schedule are described in this paper. It is based on a distributed scheduling model with the utilization of Internet technologies, such as JavaBeans and XML. KW - Integrated information KW - scheduler KW - look-ahead planning KW - JavaBeans KW - XML KW - Internet PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/66/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/66 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Brief Reflection on the Improvement of the Design Process Efficiency in Brazilian Building Projects C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 345 EP - 356 PY - 1999 AU - Fabricio, Marcio M. AU - Melhado, Silvio B. AU - Baia, Josaphat L. AD - Doctoral candidate of Civil Construction Engineering Department, Escola Politécnica, University of São Paulo, M. Sc., Brazil, fabricio@pcc.usp.br AD - Professor of Civil Construction Engineering Department, Escola Politécnica, University of São Paulo, Dr., Brazil, silviobm@pcc.usp.br AD - M. Sc. of Civil Construction Engineering Department, Escola Politécnica, University of São Paulo, Brazil, josaphat@pcc.usp.br AB - This paper starts with (i) an introduction on building construction sector design process main characteristics and (ii) a presentation and discussion on its efficiency problems. The Concurrent Engineering concept as a tool to improve this process, approximating it to lean construction approach is introduced. It also describes a case study on a 22 companies group quality program. This group includes building construction companies, as well design offices, which are implementing some design process changes. The paper ends up proposing a building design process methodology, based on the concurrent engineering principles. KW - Building design KW - design flow management KW - concurrent engineering KW - lean construction. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/67/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/67 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Study of Reasons for the Adoption of Lean Production in the Automobile Industry: Questions for the Aec Industries C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 11 EP - 21 PY - 1999 AU - Featherston, Scott AD - Project Manager, Lend Lease, Level 7 Australia Square, Sydney 2000, Australia, +61 (2) 9518 8022, fax: +61 (2) 9518 8122, scott_featherstone@lendlease.com.au AB - The primary intent of this paper is to raise questions concerning broader forces that, as advocates of lean construction, we should consider as we develop and refine our model of production for the AEC industries. The adoption of an alternative production system is a major strategic decision for any organisation, let alone one that might exist in the complicated and complex AEC industry. As advocates of an alternative to existing methods, it is incumbent upon us to understand the strategic imperatives which organisations face. KW - Lean production KW - strategic environment KW - lean construction PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/68/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/68 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Method for Waste Control in the Building Industry C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 325 EP - 330 PY - 1999 AU - Formoso, Carlos T. AU - Isatto, Eduardo L. AU - Hirota, Ercilia H. AD - Civil Eng., Ph.D., Associate Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) Av. Osvaldo Aranha 99, 3º andar, 90.035-190, Porto Alegre - RS, Brazil, formoso@vortex.ufrgs.br AD - Civil Eng., M.Sc, Assistant Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) Av. Osvaldo Aranha 99, 3º andar, 90.035-190, Porto Alegre - RS, Brazil. isatto@vortex.ufrgs.br AD - Civil Eng., M.Sc., Associate Professor at the State University of Londrina (UEL), Ph.D. candidate at UFRGS - Av. Osvaldo Aranha 99, 3º andar, 90.035-190, Porto Alegre – RS, Brazil, ercilia@vortex.ufrgs.br AB - The paper presents the preliminary results of an ongoing research project which aims to develop a method for controlling waste on building sites. The main focus of the method is to establish waste control procedures as part of site management on a routine basis, using a pull learning approach and emphasising the principle of process transparency by using qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. The study also intends to make some contributions for the consolidation of the Lean Construction theory, through the application of some of its principles in practice. A classification for waste in the construction industry is proposed, based on previous studies concerning waste measurement. Based on that classification, a protocol for data collection was developed and applied in case studies carried out in three different Brazilian building companies. One of the main conclusions of the paper is concerned with the need to integrate waste control into the production planning and control process. KW - Building industry KW - learning KW - waste control PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/69/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/69 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Using Quality Function Deployment (Qfd) in the Design Phase of an Apartment Construction Project C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 357 EP - 368 PY - 1999 AU - Gargione, Luiz Antonio AD - Assistant Professor and Research Collaborator, IP&D, Instituto de Pesquisas e Desenvolvimento, Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, Av. Shishima Hifumi 2911, 12.244- 000, São José dos Campos-SP, Brazil, +(55) (12) 347-1000, fax: +(55) (12) 347-1334, gargione@univap.br AB - Quality Function Deployment-QFD is a powerful development methodology with a wide range of applications. This paper presents a simple case using QFD on the design phase of a Real Estate construction project as a tool of improvement for layout and features of a middleclass apartment unit. The main purpose of QFD in this study was to apply in construction a method of customer-oriented design used in other industries, and to adapt some of the tables and matrices proposed by Akao (1990). Another purpose of this case study was to test the applicability of QFD in real estate projects managed and developed by small companies usually owner-operated. KW - Quality function deployment KW - lean construction KW - building design KW - building construction KW - the house of quality. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/70/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/70 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - The Dark Side of Lean Construction: Exploitation and Ideology C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 21 EP - 32 PY - 1999 AU - Green, Stuart D. AD - Department of Construction Management & Engineering, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO Box 219, Reading, RG6 6AW, UK AB - The emerging concept of lean construction is considered from an overtly critical perspective. It is contended that the current debate is based on a highly selective interpretation of the available literature. The extent to which methods of lean production are applicable beyond the Japanese context remains hotly debated. An extensive body of critical opinion argues that the application of lean methods depends upon the hegemony of management over labour. Whilst the lean rhetoric of flexibility, quality and teamwork is persuasive, critical observers claim that it translates in practice to control, exploitation and surveillance. The accepted research agenda for lean construction is primarily confined to the limited domain of instrumental rationality. Little attention has been directed at the externalities that lie beyond narrow definitions of technical efficiency. In this respect, the activities of construction researchers are seemingly shaped and controlled by the prevailing ideology of neoliberalism. The funding agencies continually exert an insidious pressure to generate outputs that are ‘relevant’ to the needs of industry. The result is an inevitable conservatism whereby the only research that is valued is that which preserves the status quo. This widespread failure to challenge the propaganda that shapes and controls the research community serves to dis-empower the workforce and erode the industry’s intellectual capital. Industry and society at large are becoming increasingly impoverished as dogma triumphs over thoughtfulness. KW - Lean construction KW - human resource management KW - total quality management KW - critical theory KW - customer responsiveness KW - technocratic totalitarianism. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/71/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/71 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Construction Supply Chain Trend Analysis C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 85 EP - 96 PY - 1999 AU - Hong-Minh, S.M. AU - Barker, R. AU - Naim, M.M. AD - Research Associate, Logistics Systems Dynamics Group, Department of Maritime Studies and International Transport, Cardiff University, P.O. Box 907, Cardiff, CF1 3YP. Tel: (44) 1222 874271 Fax: (44) 1222 87430, HongMinhSM@cardiff.ac.uk AD - Research Associate, Logistics Systems Dynamics Group, Department of Maritime Studies and International Transport, Cardiff University, P.O. Box 907, Cardiff, CF1 3YP. Tel: (44) 1222 874271 Fax: (44) 1222 874301, BarkerR1@cardiff.ac.uk AD - Senior Lecturer, Logistics Systems Dynamics Group, Department of Maritime Studies and International Transport, Cardiff University, P.O. Box 907, Cardiff, CF1 3YP. Tel: (44) 1222 874271 Fax: (44) 1222 874301, NaimMM@cardiff.ac.uk AB - The paper relates empirical findings from a construction industry supply chain diagnostic to archival evidence on supply chain engineering. Particular attention is drawn to current construction and non-construction industry trends on such issues as supply chain relationships, business process orientation and exchange of personnel. Evidence is given that indicates strategies such as partnering, business process engineering focused on customer needs and co-development yield significant business and supply chain performance improvements. The paper suggests that the exchange of staff and personnel will yield a change in “mindset” and enable a process oriented supply chain for those companies involved in the empirical research. KW - Supply chain KW - business processes KW - relationship KW - personnel exchange KW - partnering. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/72/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/72 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Bringing Light to the Dark Side of Lean Construction: A Response to Stuart Green C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 33 EP - 38 PY - 1999 AU - Howell, Gregory A. AU - Ballard, Glenn AD - P.E., Director, Lean Construction Institute, Box 1003, Ketchum, ID 83340, 208/726- 9989 Fax 208 726 0699, ghowell@micron.net AD - Director of Research, Lean Construction Institute, and Lecturer, Construction Engineering and Management Program, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, 4536 Fieldbrook Road, Oakland, CA 94619, 510/530-8656, FAX 510/530-2048, ballard@ce.berkeley.edu AB - Stuart Green proposes that researchers have ignored the “Dark Side” of lean construction, taking for granted it is a good thing. He charges that these academics are ignoring the debate about the transferability of Japanese automobile manufacturing to other settings, and that lean leads to the repression of trade unions and to regressive human resource management. Along the way he attacks Womack and Jones for their evangelical tone, the rhetoric of lean for its similarity with that of business process reengineering and total quality management, and the failure of lean to apply other lessons from organizational thinkers. This paper attempts to sharpen the debate by exposing the false foundations of his argument that the debate hinges on “Whether Japanese Methods are based on nice things like loyalty, empowerment, consensus etc. or whether they are based on nasty things like management-by-stress and exploitation.” We argue that Green misses the key foundations of lean which are drawn from a long history of production management thinking which first attempts to manage the physics of production in the service of higher performance. KW - Lean construction KW - critical theory. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/73/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/73 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - What Is Lean Construction - 1999 C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction PY - 1999 AU - Howell, Gregory A. AD - P.E., Director, Lean Construction Institute, Box 1003, Ketchum, ID 83340, 208/726- 9989, fax: 208/726-0699, ghowell@micron.net AB - The origins of lean production are reviewed and a claim made that it is a new form of production management, that is neither mass nor craft. Then the applicability of lean production in construction is considered and nature of lean construction discussed in comparison with current practice. KW - Lean construction KW - lean production KW - production management PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/74/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/74 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Client-Contractor Relations: How Fairness Considerations and Interests Influence Contractor Variation Negotiations C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 231 EP - 240 PY - 1999 AU - Kadefors, Anna AD - Research Associate, Dept. of Management of Construction and Facilities, Chalmers University of Technology, SE-412 96 Gothenburg, SWEDEN, +46 (31) 772 1950, fax: +46 (31) 772 1964, anna@mot.chalmers.se AB - In Sweden, it is common that contractors propose variations to the design. Also, in traditional general contracts it is customary that contractors are entitled to replace products specified in the tendering documents with “equivalent” ones. In this paper, factors influencing the conditions for arriving at a constructive and value-adding dialog in such situations are discussed. The theoretical framework used is theory of intuitive fairness judgements and cognitive information-processing biases. The empirical basis is a qualitative case study of client-contractor interaction in a building project. It is argued that a “fairness constraint” sets the rules for interaction. To challenge and reject the contractor’s proposals without running the risk of being perceived as a harmdoer, the client must present arguments and justifications that will be accepted by the contractor. Principal driving forces and dispositions that affect the client, the design team members and the contractor in negotiations of contractor variations are identified. These biases are found to be important in two ways: because of their effect on individual information-seeking and decision-making, and because of their effect on the perceived legitimacy of the participants. The latter aspect has implications for the conditions for communication and joint decision-making. KW - Client-contractor relations KW - fairness KW - decision processes KW - contractor variations KW - negotiation PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/75/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/75 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Management of Production in Construction: A Theoretical View C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 241 EP - 252 PY - 1999 AU - Koskela, Lauri AD - Senior Research Scientist, VTT Building Technology, Concurrent Engineering, P.O.Box 1801, FIN-02044 VTT, Finland, tel.: +358 9 4564556, fax: +358 9 4566251, lauri.koskela@vtt.fi AB - The transformation view and the flow view are two major conceptualizations of production. The current practice in construction is based on the transformation view. However, the transformation view is an idealization, and in a complex production situation the associated idealization error may become large. This is exactly what happens in practice. Task management, based on the transformation view, assumes that certainty prevails in production. However, it is widely observed that, due to the inherent variability of production in construction, intended task management degenerates into mutual adjustment by teams on site. It is argued that the transformation view and the flow view should be synthesized into a new theoretical view on construction. The inherent causes of variability in construction can be explained and the countermeasures for eliminating variability or stemming its impact can be pinpointed by this new theoretical view. It is shown that the Last Planner method is compatible with this new view. KW - Production theory KW - construction KW - project management KW - Last Planner. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/76/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/76 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Identifying Waste: Applications of Construction Process Analysis C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 63 EP - 72 PY - 1999 AU - Lee, Seung-Hyun AU - Diekmann, James E. AU - Songer, Anthony D. AU - Brown, Hyman AD - Graduate Student, Construction Engineering & Management, University of Colorado- Boulder, seungl@colorado.edu AD - Professor, Construction Engineering & Management, University of Colorado-Boulder, diekmann@colorado.edu AD - Assistant Professor, Construction Engineering and Management, University of Colorado- Boulder, asonger@colorado.edu AD - Senior Instructor, Construction Engineering and Management, University of Colorado- Boulder, brownh@colorado.edu AB - Implementation of lean production philosophy into the construction environment represents tremendous opportunity and challenge. One aspect challenging lean construction advocates is the systematic identification and quantification of waste, development of lean operations, and improvement verification. Through case studies, this paper discusses the use of the Construction Process Analysis (CPA) technique as an appropriate tool for lean management in construction. Results indicate that for highly repetitive processes such as steel erection, CPA is effective at identifying and quantifying waste. KW - Lean construction KW - construction process analysis KW - structural steel construction process. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/77/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/77 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Towards Production Control on Multi-Story Building Construction Sites C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 313 EP - 324 PY - 1999 AU - Mendez Jr., Ricardo AU - Heineck, Luiz Fernando M. AD - Lecturer, Departamento de Construção Civil, mendesjr@cesec.ufpr.br AD - Senior Lecturer, Departamento de Eng. de Produção, gecon@eps.ufsc.br AB - This paper reports a construction site intervention that is part of a research program devoted to the topic of production control in multi-story building construction. An early work by the authors introduced a preplanning method using the line of balance technique. This present work aggregates some tools previously used such as the Last Planner and Lookahead planning in order to develop a production control on site. The paper describes the application of site production control sub-system on a multi-story building construction site. The various steps used to implement the system are briefly described. The tools used by the crew were simple spreadsheets during the first phase and production cards (kanban) associated with some control charts derived from JIT and line of balance techniques. Information was managed using electronic spreadsheets. This work shows that production planning and control can be effectively implemented on construction sites, using very simple tools. These facts are in accord with the authors’ conviction that a lasting lean construction change in the construction industry will be from the bottom up. KW - Buildings KW - production control KW - lean construction KW - line of balance. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/78/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/78 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Developing Lean and Agile Supply Chains in the Uk Housebuilding Industry C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 159 EP - 170 PY - 1999 AU - Naim, M. AU - Naylor, J. AU - Barlow, J. AD - Corresponding author: NaimMM@cardiff.ac.ukTel: +44 (0)1222-874271 Fax: +44 (0)1222-874301Logistics Systems Dynamics Group, Department of Maritime Studies and International Transport, Cardiff University, P.O. Box 907, Cardiff, CF1 3YP. AD - Formally LSDG, Cardiff, now Unipart UK. AD - SPRU, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9RF, j.g.barlow@sussex.ac.ukTel: +44 (0)1273-877166 Fax: +44 (0)1273 685865. AB - The paper presents the concept of ‘leagility’. Building on lean and agile literature, the paper describes the similarities and differences between these concepts and the application of each paradigm within the context of the total supply chain. Particular attention is paid to the notion of the ‘decoupling point’, which determines the location within the supply chain at which a product is customised. Using examples from various industries, the potential for the application of ‘leagility’ in housebuilding is described, as well as the barriers to its introduction in the UK. KW - Supply chain KW - process orientation KW - lean thinking KW - agile construction KW - housebuilding. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/79/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/79 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Reflections on Money and Lean Construction C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 253 EP - 262 PY - 1999 AU - Orrechia, Federico AU - Howell, Gregory A. AD - M.S., President, PIC – Produtividade Counstultora LTDA. Rua Pedro de Cunha, 65 Sao Paulo, SP, CEP 05010-020 Brazil, 55-011/3872-6595, orecchia@uninet.com.br AD - P.E., Director, Lean Construction Institute, Box 1003, Ketchum, ID 83340, 208/726- 9989, fax 208 726 0699, ghowell@micron.net AB - Money is a particularly tricky resource to manage because it comes with its own set of rules. Value is created by the application of cost concerns to choices in design. Likewise cash flow considerations during construction may lead to adjusting design to minimize risk of schedule overrun. Here again the role of money is to help clarify value for the client. In some cases the speed of the project may be limited by the rate of cash flow and while managing to assure no overrun how ever small is simplified by reliable work flow, some additional time should be added to the schedule to account for variations in cash flow. By contrast, if a precise and rapid completion date established early in the project is important to an owner, steps must be taken to insure the project is not sensitive to disruptions which might cause the project to be late. In this case, a buffer of additional money is prudent. In either case, the problem of matching cash flow to construction demands is eased by reliable workflow. KW - Money KW - financing KW - lean construction KW - lean production KW - production management PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/80/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/80 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Logistics: A Step Towards Lean Construction C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 121 EP - 132 PY - 1999 AU - Salagnac, Jean-Luc AU - Yacine, Madjid AD - Head of project “Site and Industry” at the Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment, 4 avenue du recteur Poincaré, 75782 PARIS Cedex, France, +33 (1) 40 50 28 39, fax: +33 (1) 40 50 29 10, salagnac@cstb.fr AD - Is preparing a PhD on the development of logistics in construction at the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées and is presently responsible for studies at the transport and logistics engineering company EUROSIRIS, 60/62 rue d’Hauteville, 75010, PARIS, +33 (1) 44 79 91 41, fax : +33 (1) 47 70 11 93, eosiris@mhnet.fr AB - Some factors are likely to impel a deep change in the construction industry in France. As in other European countries, this activity remains traditional in spite of a significant flow of innovations concerning both industrial products and execution of works on site. Experimental building operations have been carried out within the frame of a national five year programme focused on the improvement of the activity on site. The consequences of these experiments on the relations between actors have been studied from different points of view. Nearly one hundred operations will have been supported by the end of 1999. This paper is based on the evaluation of several of these experimental operations with a special emphasis on site logistics, which is considered as a step towards lean construction, because it clearly reveals where are the limitations to improvements. The variety of projects, of size of contracting companies, and of constraints of industrial products involved in these experiments allow concluding remarks concerning the conditions of development of lean construction in France KW - Logistics KW - lean construction KW - quality KW - transport. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/81/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/81 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Potential of Poka-Yoke Devices to Reduce Variability in Construction C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 51 EP - 62 PY - 1999 AU - Santos, Auinaldo dos AU - Powell, James AD - Ph.D. candidate, Civil Engineer, M.Sc., University of Salford, Department of Surveying, Bridgwater Building M54WT, England, a.santos@surveying.salford.ac.uk, Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/Paris/1262/ AD - Professor and Director of the Academic Enterprise, D.Sc., OBE, CEng., Eur. Eng., B.Sc., M.Sc, Ph.D., AMIST, FIOA, FIMgt., MCIOB, University of Salford, M54WT, England, j.a.powell@enterprise.salford.ac.uk AB - This paper discusses the application poka-yoke devices to reduce variability in construction sites. Initially it presents the main pressures for improving production practices in the sector and then it describes the main aspects of reduction of variability. Subsequently, it presents poka-yoke as one of the basic heuristic approaches to implement this principle in practice. The researchers investigated the application of poka-yoke in construction through six case studies carried out in Brazil and England. The pattern-matching approach, supported by quantitative and qualitative data, has confirmed the usefulness of this approach in construction practice. However, the empirical evidences revealed that the sector makes little use of this approach at the present moment. In this sense, there is great scope for developing mechanic and electronic mistake-proof devices to adapt into existing construction machinery. Construction suppliers should reflect on the idea of building poka-yoke devices in their products in order to guarantee the correct use of their products on site. KW - Poka-yoke KW - mistake-proofing KW - reduction of variability. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/82/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/82 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Applicability of Logistics Management in Lean Construction: A Case Study Approach in Brazilian Building Companies C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 147 EP - 158 PY - 1999 AU - Silva, Fred Borges da AU - Cardoso, Francisco Ferreira AD - Civil Engineer, M. Eng. Candidate, Civil Construction Engineering Department, Escola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo, fred@pcc.usp.br AD - Professor Dr., Civil Construction Engineering Department, Escola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo, fcardoso@pcc.usp.br AB - Logistics management concepts and tools currently have a great value for several business sectors that are searching for productivity and competitiveness improvement, providing costs reduction and better customer satisfaction. With that purpose they are trying to promote a better integration between internal and external actors who support logistics activities. This paper reports on three case studies undertaken as part of a Master Research program, which has the main objective of investigating how logistics concepts and tools are being applied to the Brazilian building construction sector. As a conclusion, guidelines are presented in order to improve logistics efficiency and effectiveness in the building production process. These guidelines are based on positive and negative experiences of some construction companies presented briefly in three case studies and on experiences of companies from other sectors of the economy. KW - Logistics KW - supply chain KW - supply logistics KW - site logistics KW - lean construction KW - Brazil. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/83/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/83 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - High-Turnaround and Flexibility in Design and Construction of Mass Housing C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 181 EP - 194 PY - 1999 AU - Singh, Amarjit AU - Barnes, Rick AU - Yousefpour, Ali AD - Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822. 808/956-3933, fax: 808/956-5014, singh@wiliki.eng.hawaii.edu AD - Research Assistant, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822. AD - Research Assistant, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822. AB - There is a tremendous housing shortage in the world that can only be overcome by innovative designs and enlightened production management. This paper presents a method for fast erection of apartment housing units that have architectural flexibility, manufacturing flexibility, and erection flexibility. The paper describes innovative jointing methods for large panel erection and presents characteristics of an appropriate structural system to correspond to the mechanical jointing and quick erection needs. Erection speeds using this method are about ten times as fast as conventional methods. Details of erection requirements and equipment are given. KW - Flexibility KW - architecture KW - production KW - joint KW - precast KW - industrial housing KW - mass housing KW - prefabrication KW - structure KW - throughput KW - erection KW - manufacture KW - FMS KW - construction. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/84/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/84 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Construction Supply Chain Improvements Through Internet Pooled Procurement C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 207 EP - 218 PY - 1999 AU - Taylor, John AU - Bjornsson, Hans AD - Graduate Student, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Center for Integrated Facilities Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020. AD - Director, Center for Integrated Facilities Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020. AB - Construction material supply chains have evolved over time to base production and materials management decision-making on demand information from the immediate downstream node in the supply chain. This myopic view leads to demand signal amplification as individual upstream nodes attempt to forecast and fulfill orders. Further compounding this demand distortion is the fact that a great amount of demand uncertainty exists between the supply houses and contractors. Supply houses are challenged to base production and materials management decision-making on orders received from a large number of disparate contractors from diverse trades. The aforementioned demand distortion and uncertainty causes construction supply chain distribution channels to be crowded with unnecessary inventory. This paper investigates a new business model for Internet-enabled pooled procurement in construction supply chains based on research currently in-progress. Through global integration of procurement information over multiple projects, pooled procurement leads to efficiency in material manufacturing and distribution, decreased material costs to contractors and owners, and reduced transaction costs. KW - Supply chain management KW - pooled procurement KW - Internet-enabling technologies. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/85/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/85 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Just-in-Time Concrete Delivery: Mapping Alternatives for Vertical Supply Chain Integration C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 97 EP - 108 PY - 1999 AU - Tommelein, Iris D. AU - Li, Annie En Yi AD - Associate Professor, Constr. Engr. and Mgmt. Program, Civil and Envir. Engrg. Department, 215-A McLaughlin Hall, Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1712, 510/643-8678, FAX 510/643-8919, tommelein@ce.berkeley.edu AD - Senior (B.S. Degree), Constr. Engr. and Mgmt. Program, Civil and Envir. Engrg. Department, 215-A McLaughlin Hall, Univ. of Calif., Berkeley, CA 94720-1712, 510/536-1782, annieli@uclink4.berkeley.edu AB - This paper explains concepts underlying a just-in-time production system. Just-in-time production systems as implemented by Toyota are pull systems in which ‘kanban’ convey the need to replenish the right inventory at the right time and in the right amount. In this paper, symbols from manufacturing are introduced to map resource flows in order to help distinguish traditional- from lean production processes. These symbols are then applied to construction. Ready-mix concrete provides a prototypical example of a just-in-time construction process. Ready-mix concrete is a perishable commodity, batched to specifications upon customer demand. This makes just-in-time delivery necessary. Based on data from industry case studies, alternative forms of vertical supply chain integration were investigated. The most common one is where the batch plant also delivers the mix to the contractor’s project site. An alternative is for the contractor to haul the mix from the batch plant to the project site with their own revolving-drum trucks. One alternative is favored over the other depending on the amount of control the contractor wants in terms of on-time site delivery of concrete and the variability in the contractor’s demand for concrete project after project. Insights can be gained from these two examples on how the construction industry has adopted a just-in-time production system for at least one part of the concrete supply chain. The examples provided will help the reader think through issues pertaining to the need for having information, materials, and time buffers at strategic locations in construction processes. KW - Supply-chain mapping KW - vertical supply-chain integration KW - ready-mix concrete KW - pull-driven scheduling KW - just in time KW - JIT KW - kanban KW - lean construction. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/86/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/86 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - More Just-in-Time: Location of Buffers in Structural Steel Supply and Construction Processes C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 109 EP - 120 PY - 1999 AU - Tommelein, Iris D. AU - Weissenberger, Markus AD - Associate Professor, Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt. Program, Civil and Envir. Engrg. Department, 215-A McLaughlin Hall, Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1712 and Research Associate, Lean Construction Institute, phone: 510/643-8678, fax: 510/643- 8919, tommelein@ce.berkeley.edu AD - Exchange student in the Constr. Engrg. and Mgmt. Program at U.C. Berkeley in 1997-98, now Senior (5-year Civil Engineering Degree), Technical Univ. Hamburg-Harburg, Germany, weissenberger@tu-harburg.de AB - The erection of a building’s structural steel frame is a major construction phase on many a project. The main resource in this process, the steel erector’s crane, defines not only the pace of erection of steel, but also the pace for handling and installing many other structural and non-structural materials. This production system cannot afford any delays. Some claim that structural steel therefore is managed as a just-in-time (JIT) process with materials being delivered to site as needed and installed promptly. This is the case only in appearance as is clear when one considers the JIT principles that were developed as part of Toyota’s lean production philosophy. To illustrate the point, this paper draws on examples of typical structural steel supply chains from the industrial- and building construction sector. The use of symbols from manufacturing is investigated to map key production steps as well as buffers in-between them in order to elucidate where resources do and do not flow. Industry practices in these two construction sectors vary significantly. Neither one is lean. This paper reports on a preliminary investigation into the location of buffers in the structural steel supply and construction process. The reasons for having buffers at various locations are explored. A more in-depth investigation is recommended to gain a deeper understanding of the buffer sizing criteria and steel component sequencing rules that govern current practices. Insight into these will then help determine which buffers can be trimmed in order to reduce work in progress and cycle time. This will support the effort of achieving “more JIT” by making processes within individual companies as well as across the entire steel supply chain leaner. KW - Supply-chain mapping KW - integration KW - structural steel KW - fabrication KW - erection KW - pull-driven scheduling KW - just in time KW - JIT KW - kanban KW - buffer KW - lean construction. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/87/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/87 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Considerations on Application of Lean Construction Principles to Design Management C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 335 EP - 344 PY - 1999 AU - Tzortzopoulos, Patricia AU - Formoso, Carlos Torres AD - M.Sc., Research assistant at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, patit@vortex.ufrgs.br AD - Ph.D., Senior Lecturer at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, formoso@vortex.ufrgs.br Av. Osvaldo Aranha, 99, 3 o andar, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. CEP: 90.035-190 AB - Several studies have pointed out the importance of the building design process in terms of improving the performance of the construction industry, and that it is a very difficult process to manage. It involves thousands of decisions, sometimes over a period of years, with numerous interdependencies, under a highly uncertain environment. As distinct from production, quality in the design process has to be achieved by a careful identification of customer needs and subsequent translation of those needs into specifications. The aim of this article is to present an analysis on the application of some lean construction principles to design management, considering the three different views of design (design as conversion, design as flow and design as value generation), proposed by Huovila et al. (1997). This discussion is based on empirical data collected in two case studies developed in Brazil. Each case study involved the development of a model for managing the design process for a small-sized house building company. KW - Building design KW - design management KW - lean construction KW - process management. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/88/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/88 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - New Supply Chain Network in Brazil’s House Construction Industry C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 171 EP - 180 PY - 1999 AU - Villagarcia, Sofia AU - Cardoso, Fancisco AD - M.Sc. student, Civil Construction Engineering Department, Escola Politécnica of the Universidade de São Paulo, E-mail: sofia@pcc.usp.br AD - Professor, Civil Construction Engineering Department, Escola Politécnica of the Universidade de São Paulo,Universidade de São Paulo, E-mail: fcardoso@pcc.usp.br. AB - Brazil’s house construction industry is currently undergoing changes in its structure due to the new competitive environment. In São Paulo, among other states, production is passing from an in-house type to a subcontracted type. Finding an effective way to manage the supply chain is crucial for the success of this new situation. With the main focus on the Brazilian supply management in this industry, this paper seeks to identify and discuss the principal key factors the supply chain management has to be aware of in order to facilitate the implementation of lean production in construction projects in this country. From a brief review of literature that exists on supply chain management, four key factors can be identified to improve supply chain performance: lean designs, system reliability, supplier co-ordination and supplier development. Based on a description of the supply chain and current management procedures in this country, the relevance given to these key factors is discussed. KW - Supply chain management KW - lean construction KW - lean design KW - reliability KW - supplier coordination KW - supplier development. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/89/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/89 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Roles of Supply Chain Management in Construction C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction PY - 1999 AU - Vrijhoef, Ruben AU - Koskela, Lauri AD - Research Scientist, TNO Building and Construction Research, Department of Strategic Studies, Quality Assurance and Building Regulations, P.O.Box 2600, NL-2600 AA Delft, The Netherlands, +31 (15) 2695228, fax: +31 (15) 2695335, r.vrijhoef@bouw.tno.nl AD - Senior Researcher, VTT Building Technology, Concurrent Engineering, P.O. Box 1801, FIN-02044 VTT, Finland, +358 (9) 4564556, fax: +358 (9) 4566251, lauri.koskela@vtt.fi AB - Supply chain management (SCM) is a concept that has flourished in manufacturing, originating from Just-In-Time (JIT) production and logistics. Today, SCM represents an autonomous managerial concept, although still largely dominated by logistics. SCM endeavors to observe the entire scope of the supply chain. All issues are viewed and resolved in a supply chain perspective, taking into account the interdependency in the supply chain. SCM offers a methodology to relieve the myopic control in the supply chain that has been reinforcing waste and problems. Construction supply chains are still full of waste and problems caused by myopic control. Comparison of case studies with prior research justifies that waste and problems in construction supply chains are extensively present and persistent, and due to interdependency largely interrelated with causes in other stages of the supply chain. The characteristics of the construction supply chain reinforce the problems in the construction supply chain, and may well hinder the application of SCM to construction. Previous initiatives to advance the construction supply chain have been somewhat partial. The generic methodology offered by SCM contributes to better understanding and resolution of basic problems in construction supply chains, and gives directions for construction supply chain development. The practical solutions offered by SCM, however, have to be developed in construction practice itself, taking into account the specific characteristics and local conditions of construction supply chains. KW - Supply chain management KW - construction supply chain KW - interdependency KW - myopic control PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/90/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/90 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Lean Construction: Towards an Agenda for Research Into Systems and Organisation C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 381 EP - 398 PY - 1999 AU - Seymour, David AD - School of Civil Engrg., University of Birmingham, UK, seymour@civ-fs1.bham.ac.uk AB - The first part of the paper presents a draft proposal for research intended to find out what is needed at the levels of systems and organisation to facilitate the implementation of Lean Construction (LC). The ethnographic study of ‘specification’— to refer to the way organisational concerns and features are represented— is taken to be the key theme of the research. The second part raises the question of what any findings may look like. It is argued that they will not look like what conventional organisation theory in the rationalist tradition has sought to provide. They will look more like those from the political tradition, insofar as a major concern there has been with how action is controlled in the way it is symbolically represented. Accepting a practical implication from this latter body of work, the need to recognise the constraining effects of the ‘old’ epistemology and the need to gain acceptance of a new one is highlighted. In recognition of having to work within the existing situation, thorough understanding is needed of how it is constituted through the methods used to describe it— documentation, charts, maps and other kinds of representation. It is argued that care must be taken not to confuse descriptive and prescriptive purposes. It is suggested that attention to specification provides a promising conceptual link between tasks, systems and organisation. KW - Lean Construction KW - theory KW - organisation KW - specification KW - ethnography PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1487/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1487 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - As Sequences Flow: Proposal of Organizational Rules for ‘Lean Construction’ Management C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 399 EP - 410 PY - 1999 AU - Mecca, Saverio AD - Associate Professor of Construction Management at the University of Calabria, Dipartimento di Strutture, Facoltà di Ingegneria, Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy, lucat@fu.penteres.it AB - The reliability of building processes is related not only to the level of performance required but also to their organizational structure. Conditions of turbulence in which constructors operate on site closely interact with the performance of the construction process and particularly with the risk of non-conformance of a building to the performances required. Interaction is characterised by the stability of the organisational structure or its capacity to adapt to environmental variability. A technical risk organisational factor analysis in construction processes can lead construction management to design organisational structures capable of reacting to environmental conditions in which “on site” production operations develop, and also able to increase the reliability of the building process. Working on organisational interfaces can lead not only to changes in detail design, but also in performances required to each operator, in order to obtain higher efficiency levels. Based on case studies conducted on sequential organisational structures of the building process, a set of organisational rules is proposed for implementation in experimental “lean construction” processes. Organisational rules based on risk organisational factors analysis can lead to the designing of a “lean” organizational structure of construction processes. KW - Construction KW - organisational design KW - sequential process KW - uncertainty PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1488/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1488 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Learning How to Learn Lean Construction Concepts and Principles C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 411 EP - 422 PY - 1999 AU - Hirota, Ercilia Hitomi AU - Lantelme, Elvira Maria Vieira AU - Formoso, Carlos Torres AD - MSc, Senior Lecturer at Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), PhD candidate at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS/NORIE), Brazil, ercilia@vortex.ufrgs.br AD - MSc, Lecturer at Universidade de Passo Fundo (UPF), PhD candidate at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS / NORIE), Brazil, lantelme@upf.tche.br AD - PhD., Senior lecturer at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS / NORIE), Brazil, formoso@vortex.ufrgs.br AB - This paper discusses some theoretical issues concerning an ongoing research project which aims to develop directions for learning Lean Construction concepts and principles. Among the reasons for carrying out this study is the need to introduce such concepts and principles into construction practice, in order to foster the development of a Lean Construction theory. The concept of learning is discussed and an overview of some theories on the learning process is presented, focusing on adult education and organizational learning. Some approaches to improve learning processes on Lean Construction concepts and principles are presented: a tool to expose and negotiate meanings, concepts from organizational learning, and experimentation with action and reflection on action. KW - Concepts KW - lean construction KW - learning KW - organizational learning. PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1489/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1489 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Developing Lean Thinking in Construction: A Naturalistic Enquiry C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 423 EP - 432 PY - 1999 AU - Garnett, Naomi A. AD - Postgraduate Researcher, Dept of Construction Management & Engineering, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, PO BOX 219, Reading, RG6 2BU, United Kingdom, N.A.Garnett@reading.ac.uk AB - The purpose of this paper is to describe a research methodology and interim findings concerning the investigation, through ethnographic case-based research, of the impact within a construction project of the partial implementation of a value stream approach. It is intended that by undertaking research of this nature, a contribution can be made to the understanding of the cultural aspects of both lean construction and associated construction process theory. The research was undertaken within the wider context of the Movement for Innovation in the UK and in particular as one of a number of demonstration project trialling the ideas expressed by the Construction Industry Task Force in 1998 (DETR 1998). It traces the development of a model for identifying and implementing the value stream approach during project implementation, mapping planned construction processes and subsequently comparing planned with actual for the purposes of developing a target baseline for continuous process improvement. Through a pilot study to test the model, a qualitative analysis methodology is used and some propositions put forward relating to culture, the value stream framework and process mapping. It is intended to develop these through a major ethnographic case study. KW - Value stream KW - process mapping KW - culture KW - social constructivism KW - qualitative analysis PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1490/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1490 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER - TY - CONF TI - Action Learning for Continuous Improvement and Enhanced Innovation in Construction C1 - Berkeley, California, USA C3 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction SP - 433 EP - 444 PY - 1999 AU - Powell, James A. AD - Eur Ing, OBE, DSc, CEng., B.Sc., M.Sc, PhD, AMIST, FIOA, FIMgt., FCIOB, FASI, MIOD, Professor, Director of the Academic Enterprise, University of Salford, M54WT, England, M5 4WT, j.a.powell@enterprise.salford.ac.uk , 0161 295 5464 , fax: 0161 295 5553. Academic Enterprise is the third major arm of a University activity that is endeavouring to reach out and support industry and commerce to enable it to flourish. AB - Action Learning (AL) for Continuous Improvement and Enhanced Innovation in Construction is a research programme of Academic Enterprise, University of Salford. The aim of the project was to find out how effective action learning might be in developing more innovative working methods in small and medium-sized building businesses in the construction industry. Four construction based AL SETs have been set up in different parts of the UK; a SET is a group of people, normally between 6-8 people with complementary problems, who band together as “partners in adversity” to discuss how they might learn from their own actions as they attempt to resolve key and complex issues. Each of our Construction AL SETs is in a different phase of its development, but the progress made by them all is exciting. Members of such SETs first seem to gain a systemic confidence of the new construction tasks in front of them and then become more innovative and creative in their resulting every day actions. They begin to explore new possibilities for change and seem to be able drive improvement from the “ashes” of their own site problems, issues, and failures. The innovations they come up with are typically fairly small scale to begin with, but soon grow, and often combine with others to have a fairly large impact on the productivity of their organisation. Our evidence suggests AL does seem to be able to create the sort of deep-seated cultural change needed by the construction. The AL process is initially heavily dependent upon the support of skilled SET Advisors who facilitate necessary changes in attitude and behaviour. This early facilitation is essential if it is to work successfully, however, SETs soon learn to look after themselves, growing from strength to strength in confidence and then develop creative responses to their own real site problems and issues. The AL process is initially extremely intensive in facilitator support costs, however, video conferencing has been shown to help make this form of construction. KW - Action Learning KW - innovation KW - continuous improvement KW - kaizen PB - T2 - 7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction DA - 1999/07/26 CY - Berkeley, California, USA L1 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1491/pdf L2 - http://iglc.net/Papers/Details/1491 N1 - Export Date: 28 March 2024 DB - IGLC.net DP - IGLC LA - English ER -