Abstract

A Critical Study of Various Lean Techniques in Practice and Developing a Framework for Different Construction Building Projects

Author(s): U. Vimal Kumar and Ganapathy Ramasamy

The productivity of the construction industry worldwide has been declining over the past 40 years. One approach for improving the situation is using lean construction. Essential features of lean construction include a clear set of objectives for the delivery process, aimed at maximizing performance for the customer at the project level, concurrent design, construction, and the application of project control throughout the life cycle of the project from design to delivery. Lean construction is implemented through various lean-based tools or in other words lean techniques. Implementation of these techniques in simple and complex projects makes the projects easier to manage, safer, completed sooner, and cost less and is of better quality. This paper involves the study of principles, methods, and implementation phases of lean construction showing the waste in construction and how it could be minimized. A field study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of some lean construction techniques including last planner, increased visualization, daily huddle meetings and the 5s process. The data collected through direct observations, interviews, questionnaires, and documentary analysis from Indian as well as foreign organizations. Thus, the data obtained is used to develop a framework which will provide an environment for construction organization to survive in any economic condition of our Indian society. Therefore, this project aims at managing the construction site as well as organization efficiently with minimum waste.