Sustainable Value on Construction Projects and Lean Construction

Abstract

Lean production is a systemic approach to meeting customer expectations, whatever they value, by reducing waste. At first glance, lean then could only contribute to sustainability, while sustainability is achieved only if the customer values sustainability. The paper has two objectives. One is to examine whether sustainability is feasible using lean production with sustainability as an added value. The second objective is to examine how current lean construction tools and methods impact the construction and operation of sustainable facilities. The authors also suggest how these lean construction tools and methods have evolved to contribute to green construction. For this study, the authors interviewed lean adopters and conducted literature surveys on lean principles and methods, and its impacts on the economic, social and environmental sustainability.