Management of production in construction: a theoretical view

Lauri Koskela

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientificpeer-review

Abstract

The transformation view and the flow view are two major conceptualizations of production. The current practice in construction is based on the transformation view. However, the transformation view is an idealization, and in a complex production situation the associated idealization error may become large. This is exactly what happens in practice. Task management, based on the transformation view, assumes that certainty prevails in production. However, it is widely observed that, due to the inherent variability of production in construction, intended task management degenerates into mutual adjustment by teams on site. It is argued that the transformation view and the flow view should be synthesized into a new theoretical view on construction. The inherent causes of variability in construction can be explained and the countermeasures for eliminating variability or stemming its impact can be pinpointed by this new theoretical view. It is shown that the Last Planner method is compatible with this new view.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication7th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC-7)
EditorsIris D. Tommelein, Glenn Ballard
Place of PublicationBerkeley
PublisherUniversity of California
Pages241-252
ISBN (Print)978-1-929465-01-9
Publication statusPublished - 1999
MoE publication typeA4 Article in a conference publication
Event7th Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction, IGLC-7 - Berkeley, United States
Duration: 26 Jul 199928 Jul 1999

Conference

Conference7th Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction, IGLC-7
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBerkeley
Period26/07/9928/07/99

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