Course Outline
Module 1: Foundations of Lean and Systemic Thinking applied to Construction
Leveraging Lean thinking
Lean Thinking
Five Lean principles
System thinking (Deming) applied to construction projects
Pull planning vs collaborative planning
Traditional model vs Lean Construction
Innovation curve in construction
Command and Control vs Lean approach
Exercise: Identification of waste in a real construction project.
Module 2: Lean Construction and Flow Management on Site
Value flow in construction
Value stream mapping (VSM) in construction projects
The most common wastes in construction
MUDA, MURI, MURA
Bottleneck analysis
Five focus steps
Factory model vs construction project model
Concept of continuous flow on site
Exercise: Mapping the flow of a construction process (e.g., slab pouring or MEP installation).
Module 3: Last Planner System (LPS) – Collaborative Planning in Construction
Introduction to the Last Planner System
LPS principles
Planning hierarchy:
Master Schedule
Phase Planning
Lookahead Planning
Weekly Work Plan (WWP)
Pull Planning in construction
Commitment-based planning
Percent Plan Complete (PPC)
Constraint management
Cause analysis for non-compliance
Collaborative planning meetings
Roles within LPS
Practical exercise: Simulation of Pull Planning for a site phase.
Module 4: Agile Foundations applied to Construction
Why Agile?
Why do projects fail?
Comparison of iterative methodologies
The Agile approach in construction projects
Cross-disciplinary work
Shared responsibility
Self-organization in site teams
Adapting Agile to non-IT environments
Exercise: Designing an iterative cycle for construction deliverables.
Module 5: Scrum adapted to Construction Projects
What is Scrum?
Roles:
Product Owner (client or developer)
Scrum Master
Execution Team
User stories applied to construction requirements
Acceptance criteria
Deliverable prioritization
Sprint planning
What happens during a Sprint?
Site-adapted Standup meetings
Sprint Review
Retrospective
Iteration release
Group exercise: Planning a site Sprint.
Module 6: Kanban and Visual Management in Construction
Kanban pillars
Kanban rules
Concepts behind Kanban
Process visualization
Kanban board design for sites
WIP limits
Service classes
Flow metrics
Flow diagrams
Client commitment
Exercise: Designing a Kanban board for subcontractor control.
Module 7: Continuous Improvement and Lean Culture in Construction
Kaizen on site
Continuous improvement meetings
Maintaining documentation
Ensuring proper practices
Benefiting from the right teamwork
Golden Circle applied to construction projects
Impact mapping
Design thinking applied to customer experience in construction
Journey mapping applied to construction phases
Final integrative exercise: Design of a Lean + LPS + Kanban system for a construction project.
Requirements
Requirements
No prior knowledge of Agile methodologies is required, but experience in managing or executing construction projects is recommended.
Target Audience
Construction Project Managers
Site Residents
Superintendents
Planning Coordinators
Construction Directors
Civil Engineers and Architects
