The Evolution of Lean Construction Education (Part 2 of 2): At US-Based Companies

The benefits of lean projects such as reduced schedules and budgets are well documented; construction organizations accomplish lean project delivery through the practices of project teams, yet the backgrounds of many participants have relatively little involvement with lean methodology due to its relative newness. Many participants in the lean movement such as members of the Lean Construction Institute (LCI) attribute project success to the training that is typically conducted to create an awareness and capability among participants and align the team with the priorities of the project. A study of leading firms was undertaken to examine this linkage by reviewing how training is provided for project teams, including the work force. A cross-section of established construction firms, design firms, and consultants were surveyed to determine the best practices that are currently in use. These organizations are all members of LCI or the Associated General Contractors (AGC). Many important lessons were learned, including: the successful approaches taken by AGC to provide industry training; the best practices of the companies surveyed; and future opportunities for improvement in lean training at the industry level. Notably, some of the approaches used in academia such as simulations, were used, but some companies were developing their own training, emphasizing leadership over tools.