Improving project efficiency using lean construction

Abstract

Common problems on construction or project based industry are frequent deadlines delays, budget overruns and improper quality. Lean construction is one of approach for improving this situation by identifying and formulating recommendation to eliminate or reduce waste. It started by using Value Stream Mapping to understand the flow of information and material thus waste can be identified. Then, five why's analysis is utilized to get the root cause of waste. To formulate recommendation, the root cause of waste is ranked according to risk priority number. Finally, suggestion for reducing or eliminating these root cause of waste are provided accordingly. These approach is applied in two different organizations, an engineering procurement construction industry and a building construction company. The result of utilization of lean construction approach shows that the critical waste in the engineering procurement construction industry are waiting and correction. While in the building construction company, waiting is also identified as the critical waste and waste due to over processing. For both cases, root cause of waste of waiting have the highest risk priority number. Thus, specific recommendations to reduce these root cause are suggested accordingly.