Coming soon · Book Profile
Lean Construction
This book collates 25 years of seminal research and practice in Lean Construction, presenting its core theories, themes, and practical approaches for improving productivity, quality, and value delivery in the construction industry.
A profile of this book is on the way.
What it’s about
Since Lauri Koskela first applied the 'new production philosophy' to construction in 1992, a global movement has been underway to transform one of the world's most vital yet inefficient industries. This comprehensive volume brings together the pioneers and leading researchers of Lean Construction to take stock of 25 years of progress. It introduces the reader to the foundational Transformation-Flow-Value (TFV) theory, which challenges traditional management paradigms by focusing on waste reduction and value generation. Through detailed explorations of core themes and practical approaches like the Last Planner System, Target Value Delivery, and Integrated Project Delivery, the book provides a robust framework for students, practitioners, and researchers. It serves as both an essential introduction to the state of the art and a forward-looking guide to the new frontiers of managing complexity, uncertainty, and collaboration in the built environment.
The through-line
- Who it’s for
- A construction manager, project leader, designer, or student who is determined to overcome the industry's chronic problems of low productivity, budget overruns, delays, and adversarial relationships.
- The problem
- Projects are consistently late, over budget, and fail to deliver the expected value to clients, leading to constant rework, disputes, and financial losses. They feel frustrated, powerless, and stressed, stuck using outdated management methods that seem to create more firefighting and conflict than they solve.
- The plan
- Embrace the foundational TFV (Transformation-Flow-Value) theory to see production in a new light.
- Learn the core themes of Lean Construction, including value generation, waste elimination, and people-centric leadership.
- Master the key practical approaches and systems like the Last Planner System, Target Value Delivery, and Integrated Project Delivery to bring predictability and collaboration to your projects.
- The payoff
- Delivering projects predictably on time and within budget. · Creating exceptional and clearly defined value for clients and end-users. · Fostering a collaborative, innovative, and high-trust project environment.
See our guide
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Additional reading
- Construction Safety Management · Levitt, R.E. and Samelson, N.M.
Cited frequently throughout the book as a foundational text on the principles of managing safety specifically within the construction context, covering topics from management's role to cost implications.
- Construction Safety · Hinze, J.
Referenced in multiple chapters as an authoritative source on accident causation, safety performance measurement, and the specific hazards and controls relevant to the construction industry.
- Managing the Risks of Organisational Accidents · Reason, J.T.
This book is cited for its influential theories on systemic accident causation, human error, and the concept of safety culture, providing a theoretical underpinning for many of the arguments made about moving beyond blaming individuals.
- Rethinking Construction (The Egan Report) · Egan, J.
Frequently mentioned as a key driver for change in the UK construction industry, its recommendations for improving efficiency, integration, and teamwork through concepts like partnering are directly linked to creating a better culture for safety.
- Constructing the Team (The Latham Report) · Latham, M.
Cited as a landmark report that diagnosed the adversarial, conflict-ridden nature of the UK construction industry, providing the context for why new collaborative approaches like partnering are seen as essential for improving all aspects of performance, including safety.
- Program Policy Manual (PPM) · Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
The book frequently cites the PPM as the definitive source for interpreting how MSHA standards are to be applied in practice, providing crucial context beyond the raw regulations.
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) National Consensus Standards · NFPA
Chapter 12 on Fire Prevention explicitly lists several NFPA standards (e.g., NFPA 10, NFPA 13) as resources for mine operators seeking further information on firefighting equipment and systems.
- Dust Control Handbook for Industrial Minerals Mining and Processing · National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Recommended in Chapter 30 as a must-read resource for M/NM operators seeking to implement engineering controls to comply with the new Part 60 silica standard.
- Best Practices for Dust Control in Coal Mining · National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Cited in Chapter 30 as a key resource for coal operators to find effective engineering controls for managing respirable coal and silica dust.
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards · ANSI
Specific ANSI standards like Z89.1 (Head Protection) and Z41 (Protective Footwear) are referenced as the basis for defining what constitutes 'suitable' personal protective equipment.