34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) - Singapore, Singapore - 2026

https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0177

Critical infrastructures interdependences during extreme weather events: the lean perspective

Guilherme Luiz Canzian Marion1, Tarcisio Abreu Saurin2 & Daniela Dietz Viana3

1Ph.D. Student, Construction and Infrastructure Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-5460-1464
2Professor, Industrial Engineering Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0003-2929-5888
3Adjunct Professor, Construction and Infrastructure Post-Graduate Program, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0001-8958-4708

Abstract

Critical infrastructures (CIs) such as those related to transportation, water and electricity supply provide essential services to society, including construction projects. Thus, failure of CIs can hinder lean construction adoption, especially during extreme weather events with prolonged consequences. This article explores the use of lean thinking for the identification of opportunities for systemic improvement in CIs affected by a major flooding in Southern Brazil. To this end, the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) was used for modelling the interdependences among 20 CIs affected by the floods. The FRAM model was developed based on interviews with CI representatives, site visits, and document analysis. Then, five lean construction principles were used for the identification of opportunities to enhance the resilient performance of the CIs. The principle “increase transparency” is especially important as it makes the CI operational status visible to other stakeholders and thus enhances coordination during crisis response. The principle “increase flexibility” also stands out, promoting the repurposing of CI functionalities and investment in a multi-skilled workforce.

Keywords

Extreme weather events, FRAM, societal resilience, lean principles, interdependence.

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Marion, G. L. C., Saurin, T. A. & Viana, D. D.. (2026). Critical infrastructures interdependences during extreme weather events: the lean perspective. In Hamzeh, F., Poshdar, M., & Garcia-Lopez,, N. P. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) (pp. 630–641). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0177

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Marion, G. L. C., Saurin, T. A. & Viana, D. D.. (2026). Critical infrastructures interdependences during extreme weather events: the lean perspective. IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0177

 

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