Analysis of strategic aspects in lean construction implementation

Abstract

This paper proposes improvements on the strategic aspects of the lean construction system implementation in contractor companies of Fortaleza/Brazil. It is an exploratory-descriptive study based on qualitative research supported by interviews and observations ―in loco‖. The hypothesis are: 1) the enterprise and production strategies have influence on the results of the application of lean construction principles on the productivity increase, cost, losses and labor force reduction; 2) the success of the lean construction system implementation depends upon the labors‘ formal education and participation in planning elaboration. Determinant factors are the high management support and the involvement of human capital with adequate formal education. Resultant contributions are competition power and productivity increase, stability in production processes, labor force requirements delays in activities execution, costs and losses reduction, better organization of working layout area, increase in the labor force and final clients satisfaction level. As a suggestion of improvement, the contractors should negotiate business deals with strategic suppliers, previously mapped by the value chain. This could leverage gains in the productive chain. It is suggested for future papers, the development of a systematic procedure capable of interfering in the alignment level between strategy and lean production.