Linking Production-Level Workflow With Materials Supply

Roberto Arbulu¹, Andre Koerckel² & Fernando Espana³

Abstract

In traditional construction practice, work is done through functional silos such as planning and logistics. Typically, the planning department (or team) creates baseline schedules that drive procurement and logistics operations. Ensuring that materials are available for installation when scheduled is traditionally the objective of buyers or procurement personnel, members of another functional silo. The material management process is decoupled from work flow, potentially affecting the overall project delivery process. Lack of materials on site when required, lack of the ‘right’ materials on site, and accumulation of material inventories are just some of the types of waste generated by these practices, hampering performance through delays, low quality workmanship, cost overruns, and poor safety levels on sites. This paper presents a solution that uses Strategic Project Solutions’ (SPS) lean tools for production control (SPS Production Manager) and material management (SPS Material Manager) to improve transparency and performance across value streams, minimizing waste through the link of production- level work flow with material supply. Case studies are presented reporting better reliability of supply and demand due to a greater visibility across the value stream. Further benefits include a reduction of inventories on site, increased collaboration in the supply chain, realization of just-in-time material deliveries, and significant cost benefits.

Keywords

Inventory, Just-in-time, Material management, Production control, Pull, Value stream, Workflow

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Reference

Arbulu, R. , Koerckel, A. & Espana, F. 2005. Linking Production-Level Workflow With Materials Supply, 13th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , 199-206. doi.org/

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