The use of Last Planner System in highly specialised construction projects
Who knows it better how and when to do it than the specialists themselves. - During the construction of highly specialized buildings like world-class research facilities or hospitals, the Last Planner System can be a useful tool to project managers for achieving the most optimized time- and activity schedules, even with several different participants and construction companies on site. The end users of these buildings are very dedicated and passionate about their professions and in order to build facilities technologically so advanced and valuable to them, the involvement of expert knowledge early on the construction process is a necessity.
The Last Planner System was created by Glenn Ballard and Greg Howell in the 1980s with the purpose to improve the reliability and predictability of the construction production. LPS is managed on four different scheduling levels that offers a collaborative way of project management which enables issues to be identified and resolved even before they become problems on the construction site and helps to reach project completion on time. [1]
The key word in Last Planner System is collaboration, and by that we mean an open and transparent discussion between the foremen and site-management from different disciplines who will schedule the processes together. Beside the important advantages, this article will also include the concerns and questions when managers implement the Last Planner System and how to avoid or mitigate these risks during an ongoing construction project. Finally, the article will introduce an example from real life - the Copenhagen Plant Science Center - where the Last PLanner System could have been an efficient tool in the hands of the project management.
Contents |
Overview
Four Different Levels of Planning
Master Schedule
Phase Schedule
Look-Ahead Schedule
Weekly Work Schedule
General Advantages of LPS
General Risks of LPS
Last Planner System and LEAN Construction
Why is it good for highly specialised construction projects? - An example
References
- ↑ Mossman, Alan (2013) [http://www.leanconstruction.org/media/docs/Mossman-Last-Planner.html "Last Planner®: 5 + 1 crucial & collaborative conversations for predictable design & construction delivery"]