https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0248
Operationalising Transformation–Flow–Value in lean construction via SMART-enabled awareness
Prajwal Prabhu1 & Vishal Singh2
1PhD Student, Department of Design and Manufacturing, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-6943-35712Associate Professor, Department of Design and Manufacturing, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0001-6878-4081
Abstract
Lean Construction’s transformation, flow, and value (TFV) objectives rely on teams maintaining sufficient situational awareness (SA) of production conditions at the point of decision making. In construction projects, this awareness is often uneven and unmanaged, leading to weak commitments, unstable flow, and value loss despite the use of established Lean planning and control practices. This paper develops a mechanism-based explanation that treats SA as a controllable production condition. The theory is derived from a synthesis of Lean Construction and SA literature, together with observed limits of digital sensing and procedural coordination. Situation Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Teams (SMART) are positioned as a Monitor–Analyse–Report sequence that supports SA within existing Lean routines. The analysis shows that managing SA upstream improves downstream production outcomes. Improved perception reduces specification gaps and rework, stabilising Transformation. Shared comprehension increases early constraint visibility and coordination reliability, stabilising Flow. Short-horizon projections enable timely resequencing and buffer adjustments, protecting Value under change. Positioning SA as a production condition creates a practical opportunity to stabilise Lean performance by improving decision quality upstream rather than correcting failures downstream. The paper concludes with testable propositions and guidance for embedding SMART into TFV-based production planning and control.
Keywords
Lean construction, Transformation-Flow-Value, situational awareness, SMART, production control.
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Reference in APA 7th edition format:
Prabhu, P. & Singh, V.. (2026). Operationalising Transformation–Flow–Value in lean construction via SMART-enabled awareness. 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. 1702–1712). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0248
Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:
Prabhu, P. & Singh, V.. (2026). Operationalising Transformation–Flow–Value in lean construction via SMART-enabled awareness. IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0248
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