Adoption of Lean Construction in the Final Stages of a Construction Process, Why Does It Not Happen?

Iuri A. Vasconcelos1, Marcella F. Soares2 & Luiz Fernando M. Heineck3

1Master’s Degree Student, Structural Engineering and Civil Construction Department, 710 Pici University Campus, Univ. of Ceará, Brazil, BR 60455-760, Phone 011-55-88-33669607, [email protected]
2Master’s Degree Student, Hydraulic Engineering and Environmental Department, 713 Pici University Campus, Univ. of Ceará, Brazil, BR 60451-970, Phone 011-55-88-33669624, [email protected]
3Ph.D. Professor, Structural Engineering and Civil Construction Department, 710 Pici University Campus, Univ. of Ceará, Brazil, BR 60455-760, Phone 011-55-88-33669607, [email protected]

Abstract

Lean construction principles emphasize indistinctively streamlining construction processes, being them part of the initial stages of construction or as suggested by Just- in-Time (JIT) concentrated nearer to customers taking possession of the new building. Every new project offers an opportunity to start afresh with better management techniques and it might be taken that this earlier period, free from time pressures to hand over the building, is more receptive for the application of lean concepts, as compared to latter stages. As a hypothesis, it is believed that cash flow could be jeopardized and the strategic decision to leave greater proportion of work for the end of construction might decrease the effect of ongoing lean management techniques or require greater efforts in connection to them. This research work investigates the application of lean construction principles on a 16,800sqm construction site in Fortaleza, Brazilian northeast, investigating performance outcomes as related to management lean grading according to a questionnaire developed by Hofacker (2008). It concludes that work disruptions, rework and making ready activities near to the end of the construction period accumulates and lean grading decreases when it is possibly most needed to deliver customers the required quality.

Keywords

Final Stages of Construction, Lean Construction, Interaction

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Reference

Vasconcelos, I. A. , Soares, M. F. & Heineck, L. F. M. 2012. Adoption of Lean Construction in the Final Stages of a Construction Process, Why Does It Not Happen?, 20th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , -. doi.org/

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