Critical infrastructures interdependences during extreme weather events: the lean perspective

Critical infrastructures (CIs) such as those related to transportation, water and electricity supply provide essential services to society, including construction projects. Thus, failure of CIs can hinder lean construction adoption, especially during extreme weather events with prolonged consequences. This article explores the use of lean thinking for the identification of opportunities for systemic improvement in CIs affected by a major flooding in Southern Brazil. To this end, the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) was used for modelling the interdependences among 20 CIs affected by the floods. The FRAM model was developed based on interviews with CI representatives, site visits, and document analysis. Then, five lean construction principles were used for the identification of opportunities to enhance the resilient performance of the CIs. The principle “increase transparency” is especially important as it makes the CI operational status visible to other stakeholders and thus enhances coordination during crisis response. The principle “increase flexibility” also stands out, promoting the repurposing of CI functionalities and investment in a multi-skilled workforce.