Increasing the Understanding of Lean Principles With Advanced Visualization Technologies
Bo Tan1, Michael J. Horman2, John I. Messner3 & David R. Riley4
1Graduate Student, Depart. Architectural Engr., Penn State Univ., 104 Engr. Unit A, University Park, PA 16802, 814-863-6786, FAX 814-863-4789, [email protected]2Assistant Professor, Depart. Architectural Engr., Penn State Univ., 211 Engr. Unit A, University Park, PA 16802, 814-863-2080, FAX 814-863-4789, [email protected]
3Assistant Professor, Depart. Architectural Engr., Penn State Univ., 104 Engr. Unit A, University Park, PA 16802, 814-865-4578, FAX 814-863-4789, [email protected]
4Associate Professor, Depart. Architectural Engr., Penn State Univ., 104 Engr. Unit A, University Park, PA 16802, 814-863-2079, FAX 814-863-4789, [email protected]
Abstract
Advanced production management principles, like those of lean construction, have tremendous potential to improve the construction of projects. Ideas of lean construction have been proposed for more than ten years. These have had success, but they have hardly revolutionized the industry like lean production has impacted the manufacturing industry. One significant challenge facing proponents of advance production management in construction is the ability to articulate lean construction principles in a meaningful way to new users. Advanced visualization technologies like 3D and 4D Computer Aided Design (CAD), can help managers and foremen visualize the impact and usefulness of these principles. This paper describes an experiment performed with a graduate class to assess the use of 4D CAD for visualizing the various elements of production flow. Students were asked to assess a Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule for production flow characteristics. They were then asked to review the same sequence of work in a 4D CAD model. A large proportion of the class did not identify the flow issues in the CPM schedule, but most of them identified critical flow issues in the 4D CAD model. It was concluded that this visualization technology helped the students identify, explain and develop a deeper understanding of advanced production management principles.
Keywords
Production flow, lean construction, 4D CAD modeling, visualization
Files
Reference
Tan, B. , Horman, M. J. , Messner, J. I. & Riley, D. R. 2003. Increasing the Understanding of Lean Principles With Advanced Visualization Technologies, 11th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction , -. doi.org/
Download: BibTeX | RIS Format
Founded in 1993, the IGLC is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead.
2015 © All Rights Reserved.