Lean Design Versus Traditional Design Approach

The purpose of this paper is to determine if lean design can enhance value for the customer in the construction industry based on an examination of the design phase. Resent research from Statistics Norway shows a reduction of 9 % in the Norwegian construction industry’s productivity from 1992 to 2012. The paper also discusses if lean design can have an overall positive effect on the productivity. A case study has been carried out, comparing two projects using a qualitative approach. The projects use different methods in the design phase; lean design vs. traditional design approach. Implementing lean design can increase value for the client. Lean design might enable a productivity growth in the Norwegian construction industry similar to the growth observed until the 1990s. Similarities are found between classic project execution and projects where lean design is implemented, particularly the focus on planning and control. The originality lies in comparison of the recently implemented lean design and the classic project execution model. This permits an in-depth analysis of the novelty and effects of certain lean design features. Lean design seems to have reduced waste in the process, but the total value concept was rarely considered.

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