Lean Approach to Scheduling in Construction Projects

Abstract

Scheduling of activities are of utmost importance when starting a new project whatever scale it might be on. It is done to ensure the resources are used efficiently and in most cost effective way[1]. According to PMI (2013) the Plan Schedule Management Process may involve “choosing strategic options to estimate and schedule the project such as: scheduling methodology, scheduling tools and techniques, estimating approaches, formats, and project management software”.

There are various methods and techniques for scheduling of which the most widely used are the Critical Path Method (CPM) and Gantt Charts. [2]. However, criticism of the CPM and Gantt Chart has been expressed, especially in construction projects, for not sufficiently supporting building management during the construction phase, and not creating a continuous, and thus financial, flow of resources. (bygr167) [3].

Lean thinking aims at optimizing production flow and eliminate waste of resources. The ideology is adjusted to the construction industry and called Lean Construction. Lean Construction methods are becoming common practice on construction projects with the use of the Last Planner System (LPS) and Location Based Scheduling (LBS) as planning and scheduling tools [4]

This article aims at comparing the scheduling techniques CPM/Gantt Chart and the two Lean approaches to scheduling in construction projects; Last Planner System and Location Based Scheduling.

• Firstly, a brief theoretical description of CPM and Gantt Chart is given, followed by an application-oriented description of the two Lean approaches to scheduling techniques.
• Secondly, the two scheduling techniques, including advantages and disadvantages, are compared to CPM and Gantt Chart.
• Lastly, the benefits of using Lean approaches to scheduling of construction projects are discussed.