Last Planner System as a project management tool - Revision history

Tkokotas at 12:46, 18 December 2018

2018-12-18T12:46:25Z

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			''Developed by Christian Vindegaard Grønberg''


	In managing construction projects implementation of Lean Construction for a better building phase is a great tool to optimize the processes. A way to implement Lean Construction is to use the Last Planner System (LPS) developed by Lean Construction DK<ref>[''http://leanconstruction.dk/''] ''Lean Construction DK''</ref>. The Last Planner System aims for a more even workflow, by simulation and planning by the craftsmen on the construction site. When implementing lean construction four different plans is made, these extend over several time periods, has various detail levels and different purposes. When using the LPS tool it is important that all craftsmen participates and agrees on the decisions made to achieve the a goal of less errors and a more effectively workflow. The tool has the benefits that it discovers misleading information and makes sure the work is done in the right order and is planned as effectively as possible - especially these points is where the LPS tool has an effect on reducing change orders. With that in mind the tool has to be implemented right or no results will show. One of the typical situations is when the project manager or the craftsman is dominating leading to bad cooperation in the group.		In managing construction projects implementation of Lean Construction for a better building phase is a great tool to optimize the processes. A way to implement Lean Construction is to use the Last Planner System (LPS) developed by Lean Construction DK<ref>[''http://leanconstruction.dk/''] ''Lean Construction DK''</ref>. The Last Planner System aims for a more even workflow, by simulation and planning by the craftsmen on the construction site. When implementing lean construction four different plans is made, these extend over several time periods, has various detail levels and different purposes. When using the LPS tool it is important that all craftsmen participates and agrees on the decisions made to achieve the a goal of less errors and a more effectively workflow. The tool has the benefits that it discovers misleading information and makes sure the work is done in the right order and is planned as effectively as possible - especially these points is where the LPS tool has an effect on reducing change orders. With that in mind the tool has to be implemented right or no results will show. One of the typical situations is when the project manager or the craftsman is dominating leading to bad cooperation in the group.
	Precautions like this is important to be aware of when using the Last Planner System.		Precautions like this is important to be aware of when using the Last Planner System.

Chrisitane: /* Annotated Bibliography */

2016-09-26T17:02:05Z

Annotated Bibliography

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	=Annotated Bibliography=		=Annotated Bibliography=
	~~'''Under construction~~
	~~'''~~
	* Alan Mossman (2013). ''Last Planner 5+1 crucial & collaborative conversations for predictable design & construction delivery''. The Change Business Ltd.		* Alan Mossman (2013). ''Last Planner 5+1 crucial & collaborative conversations for predictable design & construction delivery''. The Change Business Ltd.
	** ''Provides a more in-depth explanation of the different parts of the Last Planner and explains why construction people chose to use LPS.''		** ''Provides a more in-depth explanation of the different parts of the Last Planner and explains why construction people chose to use LPS.''

Chrisitane: /* Annotated Bibliography */

2016-09-26T17:00:35Z

Annotated Bibliography

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	* ''Lean Construction DK''''http://leanconstruction.dk/''		* ''Lean Construction DK''''http://leanconstruction.dk/''
	** ''A Danish company which are working with Lean Construction. This page has different kinds of guides, articles etc. which are explaning the concept.''		** ''A Danish company which are working with Lean Construction. This page has different kinds of guides, articles etc. which are explaning the concept.''
			* Rolf Simonsen & Jakob Lemming, ''Lean Construction & Last Planner System'', Lean Construction, DK, 2015
			** ''Gives a good description of Lean Construction and how the Last Planner System works.''

Chrisitane: /* Annotated Bibliography */

2016-09-26T16:56:21Z

Annotated Bibliography

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	* Alan Mossman (2013). ''Last Planner 5+1 crucial & collaborative conversations for predictable design & construction delivery''. The Change Business Ltd.		* Alan Mossman (2013). ''Last Planner 5+1 crucial & collaborative conversations for predictable design & construction delivery''. The Change Business Ltd.
	** ''Provides a more in-depth explanation of the different parts of the Last Planner and explains why construction people chose to use LPS.''		** ''Provides a more in-depth explanation of the different parts of the Last Planner and explains why construction people chose to use LPS.''
	* ~~Alan Mossman (2013).~~ ''~~Last Planner 5+1 crucial & collaborative conversations for predictable design & construction delivery~~''. ~~The Change Business Ltd.~~		* ''Lean Construction DK''''http://leanconstruction.dk/''
	** ''~~Provides a more in-depth explanation of the~~ different ~~parts~~ of the ~~Last Planner and explains why construction people chose to use LPS~~.''		** ''A Danish company which are working with Lean Construction. This page has different kinds of guides, articles etc. which are explaning the concept.''

Chrisitane: /* Annotated Bibliography */

2016-09-26T16:53:52Z

Annotated Bibliography

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	'''Under construction		'''Under construction
	'''		'''
			* Alan Mossman (2013). ''Last Planner 5+1 crucial & collaborative conversations for predictable design & construction delivery''. The Change Business Ltd.
			** ''Provides a more in-depth explanation of the different parts of the Last Planner and explains why construction people chose to use LPS.''
	* Alan Mossman (2013). ''Last Planner 5+1 crucial & collaborative conversations for predictable design & construction delivery''. The Change Business Ltd.		* Alan Mossman (2013). ''Last Planner 5+1 crucial & collaborative conversations for predictable design & construction delivery''. The Change Business Ltd.
	** ''Provides a more in-depth explanation of the different parts of the Last Planner and explains why construction people chose to use LPS.''		** ''Provides a more in-depth explanation of the different parts of the Last Planner and explains why construction people chose to use LPS.''

Chrisitane: /* Annotated Bibliography */

2016-09-26T14:58:13Z

Annotated Bibliography

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	'''Under construction		'''Under construction
	'''		'''
	~~<ref>Graham M~~. ~~Winch,~~ ''~~Managing Construction Projects - An Information Processing Approach~~'', The ~~University og Manchester, UK, 2010</ref>~~.		* Alan Mossman (2013). ''Last Planner 5+1 crucial & collaborative conversations for predictable design & construction delivery''. The Change Business Ltd.
			** ''Provides a more in-depth explanation of the different parts of the Last Planner and explains why construction people chose to use LPS.''

Chrisitane: /* Annotated Bibliography */

2016-09-26T14:53:03Z

Annotated Bibliography

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	'''Under construction		'''Under construction
	'''		'''
			<ref>Graham M. Winch, ''Managing Construction Projects - An Information Processing Approach'', The University og Manchester, UK, 2010</ref>.

Chrisitane: /* Advantages and Disadvantages */

2016-09-26T14:24:04Z

Advantages and Disadvantages

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	=Discussion=		=Discussion=
	==Advantages and Disadvantages==		==Advantages and Disadvantages==
	For any system there will always be advantages and disadvantages. As mentioned earlier, ~~will~~ the use of LPS ~~achieve~~ less waste, ~~improved~~ earnings and better job satisfaction. By use of the Phase Schedule it is possible to remove accompanied, if appropriate obstacles in good time and thereby achieve a better flow at the construction site, since it is possible for the crew to work without interruption, which will result in less waste of time and resources. Earnings will also be increased by taking advantage of getting better at the construction site through better scheduling. Furthermore, it will mean that the construction project will be completed faster than normal, which will mean fewer overheads and salaries. Finally, LPS help to reduce the number of defects as more bugs will be discovered using the hurdle list. ~~Therefor~~, ~~the~~ errors will be updated continuously and can ~~therefore~~ be rectified in time. Since there will be an increased planning and communication at the site this will help to reduce workplace accidents by about 36\%. LPS also helps to increase job satisfaction for all project participants, as the crew get more influence and the build management will achieve a better production<ref name="Rolf"></ref>.		For any system there will always be advantages and disadvantages. As mentioned earlier, the use of LPS achieves less waste, improves earnings and better job satisfaction. By use of the Phase Schedule it is possible to remove accompanied, if appropriate, obstacles in good time and thereby achieve a better flow at the construction site, since it is possible for the crew to work without interruption, which will result in less waste of time and resources. Earnings will also be increased by taking advantage of getting better at the construction site through better scheduling. Furthermore, it will mean that the construction project will be completed faster than normal, which will mean fewer overheads and salaries. Finally, LPS help to reduce the number of defects as more bugs will be discovered using the hurdle list. Therefore, errors will be updated continuously and can be rectified in time. Since there will be an increased planning and communication at the site this will help to reduce workplace accidents by about 36\%. LPS also helps to increase job satisfaction for all project participants, as the crew get more influence and the build management will achieve a better production<ref name="Rolf"></ref>.

	So as it can be seen there are plenty of advantages by making use of LPS and only few direct disadvantages. One of the disadvantages, is however that it can be difficult to take advantage of the LPS if the system is only known by a minimum of the work force beforehand<ref>Graham M. Winch, ''Managing Construction Projects - An Information Processing Approach'', The University og Manchester, UK, 2010</ref>.		So as it can be seen there are plenty of advantages by making use of LPS and only few direct disadvantages. One of the disadvantages, is however that it can be difficult to take advantage of the LPS if the system is only known by a minimum of the work force beforehand<ref>Graham M. Winch, ''Managing Construction Projects - An Information Processing Approach'', The University og Manchester, UK, 2010</ref>.

Chrisitane: /* Weekly Work Plan */

2016-09-26T14:23:25Z

Weekly Work Plan

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	[[File:LookAhead.PNG \| 500px \|center \| thumb\| \|'''Figure 3:''' Look-Ahead Schedule <ref name="Rolf"></ref>(click to zoom)]]		[[File:LookAhead.PNG \| 500px \|center \| thumb\| \|'''Figure 3:''' Look-Ahead Schedule <ref name="Rolf"></ref>(click to zoom)]]

	=Weekly Work Plan=		==Weekly Work Plan==
	On the weekly Work Plan meeting it is agreed and coordinated how the work is for the coming week. This is planned with short notice because it helps to secure the implementation of the plan. This meeting is involving a foreman from each subject at the construction site.		On the weekly Work Plan meeting it is agreed and coordinated how the work is for the coming week. This is planned with short notice because it helps to secure the implementation of the plan. This meeting is involving a foreman from each subject at the construction site.

	Before a meeting each subject has to ~~thought~~ about what they can and will do in the upcoming week. The meeting is therefore used to coordinate with the other subjects, so they know if it is possible to implement their Weekly Work Plan. However, only activities that are clear of obstacles can be written on the Weekly Work Plan.		Before a meeting each subject has to think about what they can and will do in the upcoming week. The meeting is therefore used to coordinate with the other subjects, so they know if it is possible to implement their Weekly Work Plan. However, only activities that are clear of obstacles can be written on the Weekly Work Plan.

	There are many different ways to make a Weekly Work Plan. Some would rather fill a common form on a computer, while others draw it onto a building blueprints where they will be working in the coming week and some ~~others~~ choose to fill out a simple form by hand.		There are many different ways to make a Weekly Work Plan. Some would rather fill a common form on a computer, while others draw it onto a building blueprints where they will be working in the coming week and some choose to fill out a simple form by hand.

	It is important that is the ~~persons~~ on the construction site that ~~fills~~ and discuss the work for the upcoming week. Since it is at this meeting where agreements on ~~then to get to,~~ and when you're done, so there is space for the next team. The most important thing in this process is to ~~compliance~~ the agreements. However, that the agreement can not be met, they have to inform ~~the~~ colleagues with plenty of notice. The meetings typically takes an hour and an agenda might look like this:		It is important that it is the people on the construction site that fill out and discuss the work for the upcoming week. Since it is at this meeting where agreements on when you start and when you're done is reviewed, so there is space for the next team. The most important thing in this process is to comply with the agreements. However, in the case that the agreement can not be met, they have to inform their colleagues with plenty of notice. The meetings typically takes an hour and an agenda might look like this:
	*Reviewing the last week's Weekly Work Plans		*Reviewing the last week's Weekly Work Plans
	*Reviewing obstacle list		*Reviewing obstacle list
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	*Creating and coordinate the upcoming week's activities (The Weekly Work Plan)		*Creating and coordinate the upcoming week's activities (The Weekly Work Plan)

	==Percent Planned Completed==		===Percent Planned Completed===
	Percent Planned Completed PPC is a way to describe how well the planners ~~are to~~ plan together and thereby create a steady flow at the construction site. PPC helps to specify how many activities that have been carried out as planned, expressed as a percentage. Only when a task is fully implemented it can be described as completed, which means that there only is answers as yes and no when asked whether an activity is performed. It is then possible to calculate the value for PPC using the entire Weekly Work Plan by ~~Equation~~ '''\ref{eg:PPC}''' from <ref name="Rolf"></ref>		Percent Planned Completed (PPC) is a way to describe how well the planners can plan together and thereby create a steady flow at the construction site. PPC helps to specify how many activities that have been carried out as planned, expressed as a percentage. Only when a task is fully implemented it can be described as completed, which means that there only is answers as yes and no when asked whether an activity is performed. It is then possible to calculate the value for PPC using the entire Weekly Work Plan by the equation below '''\ref{eg:PPC}''' from <ref name="Rolf"></ref>


	<math>PPC=\frac{Total\ yes}{Total\ activities}</math>		<math>PPC=\frac{Total\ yes}{Total\ activities}</math>

			An example would be if there were 25 activities and 20 activities are carried out as planned, then the PPC would result in 80\%.

			Furthermore, the purpose of PPC in LPS is also to create a motivation among each crew to improve the construction process, rather than only to improve efficiency internally. On a normal construction site the PPC indicator is often 50\% while at a construction site where LPS is used the indicator is at 80-90\%. This makes PPC a measure of the degree to which the chairmen and the crew must realize the promises and not an indication of whether the Master Schedule is followed<ref name="Rolf"></ref>.

	Furthermore, the purpose of PPC in LPS is also to create a motivation among each crew to improve the construction process, rather than only to improve efficiency internally. On a normal construction site is the PPC indicator often 50% while at a construction site where LPS is used the indicator is at 80-90\%. This makes PPC a measure of the degree to chairmen and the crew to realize the promises and not an indication of whether the Master Schedule is followed<ref name="Rolf"></ref>.		PPC should not be constructed as a negative criticism but instead as positively criticism, which aims to improve the construction process in the future, so that the failure in the workflow can be improved. It is also important that PPC doesn't lead to the planners plan less than they can, in order to achieve a high PPC<ref name="Rolf"></ref>.

	PPC should not be ~~construed~~ as a negative criticism but instead as positively ~~criticismen~~, which aims to improve the construction process in the future, so that the failure in the workflow can be improved. It is also important that PPC doesn't lead to the planners plan less than they can, in order to achieve a high PPC<ref name="Rolf"></ref>.

	=Discussion=		=Discussion=

Chrisitane: /* Look-Ahead Schedule */

2016-09-26T14:20:31Z

Look-Ahead Schedule

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	Afterwards the time for each activity specified and thus it is possible to develop a plan indicating when and how activities should be carried out. However, it is important to have in mind that it is not possible to follow the Phase Schedule 100%, as there always are unexpected complications in the construction process. Though there will not be changes in the Phase Schedule unless there are significant changes in the construction.		Afterwards the time for each activity specified and thus it is possible to develop a plan indicating when and how activities should be carried out. However, it is important to have in mind that it is not possible to follow the Phase Schedule 100%, as there always are unexpected complications in the construction process. Though there will not be changes in the Phase Schedule unless there are significant changes in the construction.

	=Look-Ahead Schedule=		==Look-Ahead Schedule==
	To identify and remove any obstacles in the process is the Look-Ahead Schedule used. This will be reviewed as as the work on the construction site is started. This will either be reviewed at the weekly site meeting with masters and constructors or at the weekly planning meeting with the chairmen of the construction site.		To identify and remove any obstacles in the process the Look-Ahead Schedule used. This will be reviewed as the work on the construction site is started. This will either be reviewed at the weekly site meeting with masters and constructors or at the weekly planning meeting with the chairmen of the construction site.

	The Look-Ahead Schedule are typically used every week to look six weeks forward in the schedule and then afterwards make small obstacle analysis on each of the upcoming activities.		The Look-Ahead Schedule are typically used every week to look six weeks forward in the schedule and then afterwards make small obstacle analysis on each of the upcoming activities.

	For each upcoming activity a constraint analysis is performed relative to The 7 Flows Figure 2, and ~~there are asked about~~ whether there are any obstacles to the activities.		For each upcoming activity a constraint analysis is performed relative to The 7 Flows Figure 2, and examined whether there are any obstacles to the activities.

	[[File:SevenFlow.png \| 300px \|center \| thumb\| \|'''Figure 2:''' Example of The 7 Flows (click to zoom)]]		[[File:SevenFlow.png \| 300px \|center \| thumb\| \|'''Figure 2:''' Example of The 7 Flows (click to zoom)]]

	So before the activity starts will it be asked: Are the materials ordered? Is the previous activities completed? To avoid this process becomes too unmanageable the constraints are only discussed when it is necessary. So materials to an activity is usually discussed 5-6 weeks ahead, because of the delivery time, whereas space is usually not discussed until 1 week prior to the activity. In Figure 3 ~~is shown~~ a typically Look-Ahead Schedule where solved constraints are marked and critical constraints ~~is applied~~ a responsible for solving them. Parallel to The Look-Ahead Schedule two weeks of activities that are ready to be carries out are always ensured and the constraints list is updated.		So before the activity starts will it be asked: Are the materials ordered? Is the previous activities completed? In order to avoid that this process becomes too unmanageable the constraints are only discussed when it is necessary. So materials to an activity is usually discussed 5-6 weeks ahead, because of the delivery time, whereas space is usually not discussed until 1 week prior to the activity. Figure 3 shows a typically Look-Ahead Schedule where solved constraints are marked and critical constraints are assigned a responsible for solving them. Parallel to The Look-Ahead Schedule two weeks of activities that are ready to be carries out are always ensured and the constraints list is updated.

	[[File:LookAhead.PNG \| 500px \|center \| thumb\| \|'''Figure 3:''' Look-Ahead Schedule <ref name="Rolf"></ref>(click to zoom)]]		[[File:LookAhead.PNG \| 500px \|center \| thumb\| \|'''Figure 3:''' Look-Ahead Schedule <ref name="Rolf"></ref>(click to zoom)]]