REVOLUTIONIZING CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
team, so there is peer pressure to meet their commitments."
Future of Construction Feedback from our MassArt team, as
well as other Suffolk teams working on projects nationwide, provide evidence that this new process — and the Last Planner System — are adding signifi cant value. Last planning has increased effi ciency and collaboration, enhanced quality, improved safety, and produced less waste. Teams have also reported smoother rides through- out the construction process — they were able to avoid the mad rush at the end of the project that can often lead to extra labor requirements and costly overtime. Lean Construction is a fundamen-
tally different way to manage construction projects, and one that should be considered by colleges and universities looking to build new buildings more smoothly, more quickly, and more effi ciently. In addition to offering
tremendous benefi ts to project stakeholders, it may just be the future of construction. CPM
James Grossmann is vice president of Operations at Suffolk Construction
Company (www.suffolkconstruction. com). He is responsible for overseeing the overall performance of his teams, including schedule, budget, quality management, and execution.
NEW APPROACH What Is Lean Construction?
Lean Construction is a production management-based approach to project delivery — a new way to design and build capital facilities. Lean production management has caused a revolu- tion in manufacturing design, supply, and assembly. Applied to construction, Lean changes the way work is done throughout the delivery process. Lean Construction extends from the objectives of a lean production system —maximize value and minimize waste — to specifi c techniques and applies them in a new project delivery process.
What Is the Last Planner System?
The Last Planner (sometimes referred to as the Last Planner System) is a production plan- ning system designed to produce predictable workfl ow and rapid learning in programming, design, construction, and commissioning of projects. In the past fi ve years, use of Last Planner on projects and within both design and construction fi rms has increased geometrically. For more information on Lean Construction and the Last Planner System, visit the Lean Con- struction Institute online at www.leanconstruction.org. CPM
38 COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / NOVEMBER 2012
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