Lean construction in rehabilitation works – suitability analysis and contribution for the definition of an implementation model

Abstract

In recent years, the construction industry in Portugal has been waking up to the paradigm of Lean Construction. This is due, in part, to the strong global economic crisis and the consequent need to increase the competitiveness of enterprises. The aim of this paper is to assess the applicability of the Lean Construction techniques in rehabilitation works, as well as to contribute to the definition of a corresponding application model. This article reports the application of Lean Construction techniques in a rehabilitation project, having used the methodology of document analysis, direct visualization of processes, development of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) of the target processes and implementation and review of proposals for improvement. Finally, interviews were conducted on key elements of senior management of the company in order to evaluate the receptivity to the proposed changes and their generalization potential to the whole of the rehabilitation works of the company. It was concluded that it is possible and beneficial to implement Lean techniques in rehabilitation works. It was noticed that some of the good practices implemented on site closely matched or even completely materialized Lean techniques, such as Just in Time (JIT ), the 5S, Kanban and Last Planner®. However, and having in mind the Lean philosophy of continuous improvement (kaizen), it was still possible to formulate proposals for improvement to processes not yet fully optimized.