Lean Principle - Observation (Gemba Walks and Learning to See)
D. Brown Management
September 7, 2018
One of the most important tools for improving productivity is going to the jobsite or work area and observing for an extended period of time with the intent to understand but not to immediately interact. Observation progresses through about 7 stages.
field productivity lean construction
Weekly Percent Planned Complete (PPC) and Project Performance
D. Brown Management
September 3, 2018
Improving the project planning and delivery process starts with improving predictability around the schedule. Nearly every Superintendent and Foreman is familiar with the Short-Interval-Plan (SIP) and typically fill one out weekly looking ahead 1+ weeks.
lean construction
Last Planner System (LPS) Overview: Should > Can > Will > Did > Improve
D. Brown Management
August 30, 2018
The Last Planner System (LPS) developed by the Lean Construction Institute (LCI) is the codification of the practices used by the best project teams. There are elements that EVERY contractor can use to improve performance of their projects and business.
lean construction
Lean Principle - Kaizen (Every Detail Matters)
D. Brown Management
August 27, 2018
As contractors build their businesses, it is important to look at every detail from the first meeting with a potential customer through winning and building the project. This same attention to detail also applies to supporting operations and talent.
field productivity lean construction
Lean Principle - Pulling vs. Pushing and the Four Most Powerful Words for Improving Productivity
D. Brown Management
August 26, 2018
“What do you need?” are the four most powerful words for improving productivity, developing a team, and building engagement. "Pull-Planning" can be used way beyond building a project. The principle is the foundation for many aspects of life and business.
labor productivity lean construction project management
Lean Principle - 8 Categories of Waste
D. Brown Management
August 22, 2018
The first step in improving labor productivity in construction is improving everyone’s ability to see the waste. Waste can then be broken down into 8 major categories. Like colors these are often interrelated.
field productivity lean construction
Lean Principle - 3 Enemies of Lean
D. Brown Management
August 20, 2018
Profitable growth comes from operating within a target capacity and capability range - and continually increasing those ranges. Operating with consistent overload, consistent under capacity, or with consistently high variability is not sustainable.
labor productivity lean construction
Lean Principle - Value Add vs. Non Value Add
D. Brown Management
August 18, 2018
For specialty contractors the field workforce represents most of their competitive advantage as well as their biggest source of variability. Making improvements to field productivity requires deeply understanding what truly adds value to the customer.
field productivity lean construction
Lean Principle - Value Stream
D. Brown Management
August 17, 2018
A contractor’s value stream is every step required to take raw materials and information then deliver a completed project to the waiting hands of a customer. Deep understanding of this value stream is the foundation for major productivity improvements.
field productivity lean construction
Lean Principle - Understanding Lean Construciton
D. Brown Management
August 14, 2018
Lean is a body of knowledge dating back hundreds of years focused on sustainably growing an organization. During the last 20 years the construction industry has been rapidly adopting some of these tools to improve productivity.
field productivity lean construction