Posted by Jessie Woodyard on Wed, Dec 02, 2009 @ 12:15 PM
Everyone knows about green construction,
LEED construction or sustainable construction. Pretty much slap any trendy "green" buzz word before "construction" and most people will have some idea what you're talking about. But how about Lean Construction?
Lean Construction is "a production management-based approach to project delivery -- a new way to design and build capital facilities" 
according to the Lean Construction Institute. The general philosophies focused around increasing communication between supplies and project managers that ultimately results in minimizing waste at the project delivery level and improves value for the customer.
Broken down further.....if general contractors are focused on reducing costs, staying within budget and delivering on time, the Project Managers of construction sites are focused on keeping a consistent and aggressive work pace so crews are continually working on one project and can flow seamlessly onto the next.
Lean Construction draws on these basic construction principles at the project- level and allows for easier management at the product-level. Wikipedia has a good summary of Lean Construction's best practices:
- Finished building will deliver maximum functionality, which includes delighted end users.
- End Users will benefit from the lowest optimum cost of ownership.
- Inefficiency and waste in the use of labor and materials will be eliminated.
- Specialist suppliers will be involved in design from the outset to achieve integration and buildability.
- Design and construction will be through a single point of contact for the most effective co-ordination and clarity of responsibility.
- Current performance and improvement achievements will be established by measurement.
Thus far, Lean Construction hasn't caught the trend wave or we would have been hearing more about it. But it goes to show the sustainable movement felt throughout the industry is hitting at all levels- even at an unsuspected production level.
If you have any questions relating to Lean Construction, contact the Construction Department at Barry Swenson Builder, Ron Cote 408-938-6365 or rcote@barryswensonbuilder.com