A contribution to production planning improvement in the construction industry through the anticipation concept

Abstract

This article presents a synthesis of a doctorate thesis that proposes a model to improve the production planning process in the construction industry through the systematization of management anticipatory measures. Such systematization is performed through three sequential steps: identification of anticipations that should be present in the production flow; interpretation of what sort of managerial action might be related to the inclusion those anticipations; and due consideration and placing of such management actions in the production planning process. Multiple case studies were conducted on real sites, developing a number of examples of possible anticipatory measures. Most of the time, the lack of proper consideration of such measures was related to problems in the flow of work, thus giving support to the need of improving the building site planning process through this new concept. A number of anticipatory measures are illustrated throughout the text.