Lean construction offers an attractive alternative to the inefficiencies of “business as usual” in the construction industry, so why are so few AEC professionals adopting it?

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McGraw Hill Construction (MHC) recently published Lean Construction: Leveraging Collaboration and Advanced Practices to Increase Project Efficiency (download the full report here) to explore the benefits, obstacles and technologies related to the practice of Lean.

As part of a series of BIM research reports, MHC has proven that a collaborative approach improves productivity and profitability, and that Lean (including the use of BIM and prefabrication) makes firms more competitive and yields strong business benefits.

According to the report – and Dassault’s own observations of global trends – it’s time for the US construction industry to become better informed about the inefficiencies in current construction processes. We should also be focusing more on the opportunities to improve projects and keep clients satisfied by a Lean approach.

The most compelling benefit of Lean, experts agree, is an ability to succeed in a competitive market. Lean is designed to improve reliability of outcomes, increase profit margins, improve quality of construction, create greater customer satisfaction, reduce costs and reduce schedules. 

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Yet there are still many US firms that are not familiar with the term Lean construction. We hope that an increase in information and conversations about Lean will help change this fact.

Even current Lean practitioners would benefit from wider industry awareness and adoption, due to the interconnected nature of construction work.

The biggest challenges to Lean adoption uncovered in the MHC research were “lack of knowledge” (reported by 47% of practitioners) and “lack of industry understanding of Lean” (reported by 39% of non-practitioners).

Lean experts also cite employee resistance as a key challenge, although most acknowledge that employees grow very enthusiastic and engaged after they experience the benefits. These findings reinforce the need for greater education in the industry.

So please, share this list with your network:

The Biggest Benefits of Lean Construction, According to Lean Practitioners

1. Higher Quality Construction
2. Greater Customer Satisfaction
3. Improved Safety
4. Greater Productivity
5. Reduced Project Schedule
6. Better Risk Management
7. Greater Profitability / Reduced Costs

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Source: McGraw Hill Construction, 2013