Integrating the Design Structure Matrix and the Last Planner System Into Building Design

This paper proposes to reduce uncertainty in design management through the combined application of the Design Structure Matrix (DSM) and the Last Planner System™ (LPS) methodologies. DSM offers a powerful visualisation tool that facilitates the management of design iteration in order to achieve an optimal sequence of tasks. It will be claimed that DSM is particularly oriented towards Lean Construction, in the sense that, it creates value through dependency identification where assumptions are minimised. It facilitates the analysis of design information and decision-making process based on the real customer demands. However, the use of DSM does not extend to the application of the designed sequence in practice. In other words, controlling the implementation of the optimal design sequence is a keymissing piece in what DSM can offer. For this reason, this paper proposes the use of LPS, a Lean control methodology that forces the realisation of plans, to be integrated with DSM. The integrated application on both tools can improve the reliability of plans, enforce the optimal sequence and facilitate corrective action by the work team.