Perceptions of How Lean Practices Could Assure Quality in Construction

Abstract

The construction industry is an industry with many problems regarding efficiency. One of those problems is the quality problem. The solutions to quality problem in construction projects are located in the application of lean construction. This paper outlines lean practices that can help contractors to produce quality products in the form of building and infrastructure. The empirical study was conducted using a quantitative approach. The study was undertaken in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa where a semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to Construction Managers (CMs), Construction Project Managers (CPMs), Quantity Surveyors (QSs), building contractors and civil engineers. The findings reveal that few professionals are aware of the concept of lean construction in their workplace. Lean construction not only affects the quality of projects, but also affects other project parameters, and different factors have an impact on the quality of projects. More importantly, there is no evidence of the adoption and use of lean tools and techniques in the industry. The aforesaid perceptions suggest that the industry have to explore how to use lean construction principles, tools/methods and techniques for improved performance in the sector.KeywordsConstructionContractorsLeanProjectsQuality