Lean Construction: on track,
on time and on budget.

At Sundt, we rely on lean construction methods for every project because they help us achieve two goals simultaneously: We can work more efficiently and effectively to save our clients time and money. And, we can ensure that every team member feels a sense of pride and ownership in the project, resulting in a superior quality outcome each and every time.

Lean construction applies the guiding principles of manufacturing – maximize value and minimize waste – to create a highly efficient project delivery process.

Instead of monitoring construction progress against budget projections and a rigid schedule, we can more effectively plan the process from the very beginning, outlining who is responsible for each task, when those tasks must be completed and how they flow from one step to another. That means every person on the project is working together and clients are never forced to choose between time, cost and quality.

In a traditional construction environment, work is done on a “push basis” that focuses on required start dates for each activity. Often, work is completed before it is needed and frequently must be redone at a later date due to changes in the project.

Through lean construction, we seek to make a better use of both time and resources by employing a “pull concept” where each activity is completed only when needed to facilitate a subsequent task.

Last Planner System (LPS): Last planners finish first.

We apply lean construction techniques primarily through LPS, a process that involves subcontractors at the foreman level to collaborate and create a detailed pull-based schedule that defines how we will achieve each project milestone.

The first step is developing a master schedule for the project. Next, each subcontractor participates by including more detail to validate or revise the schedule, ensuring it is both realistic and reliable. This process is extremely valuable in developing greater cooperation and accountability from each team member. Our 3-tiered scheduling and planning system generates improved communication and collaboration between all parties involved.

The benefits of LPS and other lean building techniques employed by Sundt are numerous, including a stable project environment, synchronized flow of construction activities and maximized performance project-wide. And when paired with green building practices, you’re ensured a product that is built efficiently and built to last.