CAnsell (2007) - Lean construction trial on a highways maintenance project.pdf (69.32 kB)
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conference contribution
posted on 2017-08-23, 13:42 authored by Mary Ansell, Michael Holmes, Rees J.E. Evans, Christine L. Pasquire, Andrew PriceIn 2005, lean thinking was trialled to improve processes in the construction phase of a
highways maintenance project. The trial was undertaken by a partnering framework;
those involved were already working in a collaborative environment, and it was thought
this would be conducive to introducing lean thinking.
The scheme involved resurfacing and deep patching of two four lane carriageways
and the provision of concrete protection to eight bridge piers. During the construction
phase, a buffered programme, four-week look-ahead programmes and weekly programme
plans were used to: undertake constraints analysis; measure planned activities completed
each week; and analyse root causes of delay. On completion, the Project Team were
interviewed on the successes and failures of using lean thinking on the project.
Both problems and benefits were encountered in applying lean to the project. There
were some issues with the way that lean was presented and certain improvements to the
process were identified so that lean could be continued on other schemes undertaken
within the framework, including: ensuring a better understanding of lean thinking and its
application in a highways context; adopting some of the analyses as a formal process and
measurement tool; and investigating principles of lean thinking outside programme
management.
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering