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Implementing Lean Construction together with IBE Partnership

Are your Company Targets to:

Improve Profit Margins
Deliver Projects Faster
Increase Turnover
Do More with Less
- Operatives
- Cost
- Carbon

And yet you face challenges such as:

Higher Labour Costs
- Forecast increase 2025-2028 is a minimum of 4% annually
Aging Demographic
- Workforce's expertise lost
Fewer young people entering the Industry

Throwing more resource at the situation is no longer a viable option. One solution that is game changer is Lean Construction — a method focused on improving workforce effectiveness, reducing waste and increasing productivity on construction sites.

Lean Principles are not new — having a long history (75 years+) in the manufacturing sector — and with about 10 years in construction is a newer concept, with a wide degree of implementation variance across the industry.

Two key Lean Construction Processes helping companies navigate these challenges are Pull Planning and the Last Planner System® (LPS).

Traditionally the Industry uses Push Planning:

Schedule centrally planned by one individual or team
Rigid timelines based on past experiences (full of waste) or forecasted demand
Excess time buffered to handle unforeseen delays
Excess resources needed to handle unforeseen bottlenecks

Pull planning is a planning technique that starts with the end goal in mind.Instead of following a rigid, top-down plan, teams develop a work-back schedule together using key project milestones. By involving key stakeholders — such as project managers, subcontractors, and suppliers — early in the planning process, teams can avoid project delays, reduce wasted effort and ensure tasks are completed in the right order.

Benefits of pull planning (Lean):

Schedule dynamically constructed by teams responsible for completing work
Milestones set based on customer deadlines
Flexibility on how to hit milestones
Less buffer time required
Less resources required / wasted

1. Should Do - Identifying what tasks need to be done

2. Can Do - Checking if tasks can realistically be completed by removing all constraints

3. Will Do - Assigning tasks and making commitments

4. Did Do - Measuring and reviewing what was completed

5. Learn - Reflecting on what worked well and what needs improving

The Last Planner System

The Last Planner System® (LPS) is a more holistic approach to construction management that includes Collaborative Pull Planning, Decision-Making and Continuous Improvement. The name is derived from the importance of including Last Planners® — those closest to the Tasks being completed — in the decision-making process, supply chain supervisors.

By following these steps, teams will work smarter by:

Improving Workflows - Streamlining processes so tasks are done in the most efficient way
Boosting Productivity - Making sure workers are focusing on value-added tasks
Reducing Waste - Cutting down on unnecessary steps, material waste, and delays

By using Lean Construction processes, companies can get more done with less, helping them stay competitive despite workforce and cost challenges.

How to Implement Lean Construction in your Projects

If you’re interested in using Lean Construction Principles, here are some ways to get started:

Start with small changes — Apply pull planning and the Last Planner System® to one project or even one phase of a project to see the benefits before expanding it across all operations.

Train your team — Educate Project Teams and Supply Chain Supervisors on Lean Principles and give them an active role in planning and problem-solving.

Use digital tools — Introduce digital tools to help teams stay connected, provide real-time updates, reduce waste and improve communication between workers, managers and stakeholders. These tools allow for better tracking of progress, identification of bottlenecks and quick adjustments to schedules when unexpected challenges arise.

Improve communication — Hold daily DABS and weekly Production Control Meetings with teams to adjust plans based on real-time challenges and opportunities.

Measure results — Track productivity, material use and project timelines to identify areas for improvement.

Set benchmarks — Make sure project goals are outlined and the team is aligned on goals so everyone sees the big picture. Setting benchmarks allows transparency for the team to see what they’re aiming to accomplish.

The bottom line...

By improving efficiency through pull planning and the Last Planner System, you can deliver projects faster, do more with the available workforce or less and set up your business for a long-term Sustainable success.

Interested in working together with IBE Partnership to support your Lean Construction journey?

Talk to our Team