Implementation of Lean and Last Planner System® in the construction industry in Norway

Master's thesis in Structural engineeringConstruction industry has been relatively less productive compared to the manufacturing industry in mainland Norway. In order to improve the productivity in the construction industry the industry must change. The traditional way of planning projects might not be efficient enough in the future. Lean has proven to be a method that increase productivity and decrease the need for storage in other industries. Lean construction refers to how the Lean methods can be used in the construction industry. In Norway, a few companies have started implementing Lean into their projects. This thesis is a collaboration with Backe Rogaland AS to investigate their use of Lean and the Last Planner Systems. Furthermore, this thesis suggests certain changes utilizing the Lean and the Last Planner Systems to Backe Rogaland AS Ledaal Park project. The proposition is aimed to improve the planning process of this project, or to be of use in later planning of projects. The literature review performed gather knowledge about Lean and Last Planner System relevant to the construction industry, and insights to how these methods can be used in construction projects. Research papers were analysed to understand the current use of Lean in the construction industry in Scandinavia through certain project described. In addition, the thesis has obtained an interview with Total Betong AS to get insight into an example of successful implementation of Lean and Last Planner System. The thesis has carried out a case study to gather information about the planning process in one of Backe Rogaland AS projects, Ledaal Park. The case study includes observing meetings, conduct unstructured interviews, and study documents in the Ledaal Park project. This thesis use data from the Ledaal Park project to make an Excel worksheet, as well as a BIM model in Synchro software. The results from this thesis study suggest improvements made in the Excel worksheet, and a project file in Synchro software. The Excel worksheet is based on Lean and Last Planner theories, and are aimed to optimize the plans made in the Ledaal Park project. The Excel worksheet presents an improvement in contrast to the many documents the project uses today. The usage of data shown in this thesis will by collecting all documents in the same worksheet, reduce time spent on managing. This thesis use of Synchro software show how digital technology will further improve the planning and managing of construction projects. The project file made in the thesis show how to collect all the information in one model, and to take advantage of the data. This includes using the data to visualise the construction process with video animation