LCI Research
Lean Design & Construction Research Papers
Using empirical evidence, LCI-funded research efforts show that projects with a high Lean intensity are more likely to be completed ahead of schedule and under budget. See the results of our three major research efforts here. Feel free to explore, download and share the one-page fact sheets, the full reports, and supplementary videos with your organization, team or with those skeptical of the Lean advantage.
Policy on Overhead Cost Limits in Connection with LCI-Funded Research
The Lean Construction Institute has established a “not to exceed” overhead policy of 20% for academic work in educational institutions funded by LCI. We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with a limited annual budget for research-type initiatives. As such, we are responsible to our board, our members and the industry as a whole to ensure our limited funding is devoted as much as possible to the generation of worthwhile research rather than large overhead costs. We also maintain a policy of prompt payment to universities with which we contract in order to help reduce their administrative costs and any overhead burden of monitoring and collecting on invoices generated in connection with research we fund.
The State of Lean in Our Industry
Presentation
The State of Lean in Our Industry: LCI partnered in 2022 with Dodge Data & Analytics on a new study aimed at answering the age-old question of the degree to which the building industry is aware of and utilizing Lean Design and Construction practices across the country. Survey responses came from hundreds of owners, architects, engineers, GCs and trade contractors with experience in all types of building projects, from commercial to industrial to infrastructure.
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Trade Partners Handbook of Production Improvement Methods
This handbook was developed as a resource. The content is intended as a user guide with practical resources, lessons learned by others, examples, and guidance to allow trade contractors and specialty construction firms operating to adopt lean principles and reap the workforce and business benefits that follow more readily.
Lean Construction Institute Contractor Survey (2021)
Operational Excellence Improved by Lean
Co-Sponsored by LCI and AGC Conducted by Dodge Data & Analytics
In the “Lean Construction Contractor Survey” members of three organizations provide industry evidence that utilization of Lean methodologies provide benefits across the board for schedule, cost, safety, employee engagement, and client satisfaction.
This is the first-time research of this magnitude on Lean Construction methodologies have been conducted for the general contractor and the findings are presented in relation to the previous two research projects by the leading organizations in the field of Lean construction.
In 2016, the Lean Construction Institute (LCI) in partnership with Dodge Data & Analytics sponsored an Owner outcome study called “Why do Projects Excel? The Business Case for Lean Project Delivery”.
LCI followed up their research from the Owner perspective by including Designers in a study called “Why Projects Excel-Great Design Enabled by Lean” which compared best vs. typical projects, as well as design firm-relevant metrics to establish a benchmark of performance to reveal the impact of Lean methods.
In 2021, AGC of America partnered with LCI and Dodge Data and Analytics to conduct research into the benefits of Lean Construction methodology on projects for the general contractor including Building/Highway/Federal/Specialty Contractors.
Lean Construction Contractor Survey
In 2021, AGC of America partnered with LCI and Dodge Data and Analytics to conduct research into the benefits of Lean Construction methodology on projects for the general contractor including Building/Highway/Federal/Specialty Contractors.
Lean Construction Institute Designer Satisfaction Survey (2017)
The Business Case for Lean in Design
Co-Sponsored by LCI and AGC
Conducted by Dodge Data & Analytics
The research from 2017 focused on identifying how design professionals can improve client outcomes while maximizing design excellence. This study was conducted as a follow-up of the previous effort that uses a similar methodology of comparing best vs. typical projects.
Design firm-relevant metrics were examined to establish a benchmark of performance and to reveal the impact of Lean methods. The video features designers discussing what the research means to them and the one-page fact sheet below will form a Business case for Lean in design.
Research Findings
Lean Construction Institute Owner Satisfaction Study (2016)
The Business Case for Lean Project Delivery
Co-Sponsored by LCI and Canada’s Integrated Project Delivery Alliance
LCI’s first research effort in 2016 funded two studies that collectively examined 162 projects across the U.S. to understand why some projects excel more than others. Explore the videos for a high-level look into the research findings and download the full reports.
Research Findings
Owner Satisfaction Study (2013)
Prepared by Dodge Data & Analytics
Read the full report for the results of the owner satisfaction study.
Full Report
Why Do Projects Excel? The Business Case for Lean Project Delivery
Produced by LCI
Read the presentation showing a significant correlation between high Lean intensity projects and their likelihood of coming in ahead of schedule and under budget.
Full Report
Motivation and Means: How and Why IPD and Lean Lead to Success (2016)
Conducted by University of Minnesota
Explore five common myths about Lean and IPD then learn how teams optimize owner and supply chain satisfaction using the IPD model and Lean processes.
Full ReportOwner Success Stories
Motivation and Means: How and Why IPD and Lean Lead to Success
Watch the owner’s success stories for unscripted responses from several owners who participated in the studies. Each owner describes how using Lean and IPD impacted the team, project outcomes and their organization as a whole.
