Waste Identification in the Operation of Structural Engineering Companies (SEC) According to Lean Management

Felipe Muñoz-La Rivera,Juan Carlos Vielma,Elisa Gallardo,Rodrigo F Herrera

doi:10.3390/su13084249

Abstract

Although the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is highly relevant to national development, it suffers from significant productivity challenges. Beneath the design and documentation of structures, a dynamic, complex process is taking place, with constant modifications and feedback involving numerous professionals from different fields and their respective approaches and work developed using various computer programs. This diversity of factors converges within an iterative trial-and-error process and does not stop until a refined model is achieved. To understand traditional structural engineering companies (SECs) in Chile involved in building private procurement projects, 25 non-value-adding SEC activities were identified and classified according to typical lean management waste categories. These were initially validated by a panel of experts and then confirmed through a survey of 37 companies. The identified activities reduce the productivity of SEC organizations, contributing to low AEC industry indicators.

Highlights

The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is known for having low productivity levels, which is worrying in an industry of relevance to a country’s development, in terms of its contributions to the gross domestic product and the social welfare that it generates [1]
Structural engineering companies (SECs) develop the design and calculation of structural elements and systems of various civil works as a part of the process chain—including conception, pre-design, design, documentation, planning, construction, operation and maintenance—which continues to converge until the definitive operation and maintenance of the civil work [9]
There are many professionals interacting within an structural engineering companies (SECs), it is convenient to distinguish between two types: internal professionals of the company and external professionals specific to each project

Summary

Introduction

The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry is known for having low productivity levels, which is worrying in an industry of relevance to a country’s development, in terms of its contributions to the gross domestic product and the social welfare that it generates [1] This is due to several well-known problems: cost overruns and delays, minimal interaction between different actors, poor knowledge management, a focus on routine activities, high fragmentation, poor asset management, design changes during the construction stage and poor planning and scheduling, among others [2]. The term Industry 4.0 refers directly to the current

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Conclusion