Freire, J and Alarcón, L F (2002) Achieving lean design process: Improvement methodology. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 128(3), pp. 248-256. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
An improvement methodology is proposed for the design process in construction projects. Based on concepts and principles of lean production, the methodology considers the design process as a set of three different models - conversion, flow, and value. Four stages are necessary to produce improvements and changes - (1) diagnosis/evaluation; (2) changes implementation; (3) control; and (4) standardization. The methodology suggests the application of seven tools in accordance to specific needs (detected and desired) on five potential areas of improvement - client, administration, project, resources, and information. Results of an application included an increase of 31% in the share of value adding activities, 44% reduction of unit errors in the products, up to 58% decrease of waiting times in the process, and an expansion of the utilization in the cycle times. In this manner, not only did the efficiency and effectiveness of internal engineering products improve, but also the whole project, by improving one of the main suppliers of construction.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | design; project management |
| Index terms: | lean production, design process, construction project, methodology, conversion, efficiency, project management, implementation, effectiveness, standardization |
| Subjects: | manufacturing engineering, performance measurement, research methods, performance management, production management, project management theory and practice, contractual arrangements, design methods |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Quality Management, Procurement, Research Practice, Project Management, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here