TY  - CONF
TI  - A Study of the Relationship Between Buffers and Performance in Construction
AU  - Sakamoto, Masanobu
AU  - Horman, Michael J.
AU  - Thomas, H. Randolph
AD  - Graduate Student, Depart. Civil & Envir. Engrg., Penn. State Univ., 104 Transportation Research Building, University Park, PA 16802, 814-863-1910 FAX 814-865-3039, mus107@engr.psu.edu
AD  - Assistant Professor, Depart. Archi. Engrg., Penn. State Univ., 211 Engrg. Unit A, University Park, PA 16802, 814-863-2080 FAX 814-865-4789, mjhorman@engr.psu.edu
AD  - Professor, Depart. Civil & Envir. Engrg., Penn. State Univ., 203 Transportation Research Building, University Park, PA 16802, 814-863-1901 FAX 814-865-3039, hrt1@engr.psu.edu
ED  - Formoso, Carlos T.
ED  - Ballard, Glenn
PY  - 2002
DA  - 2002/08/06
T2  - 10th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction
C3  - 10th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction
CY  - Gramado, Brazil
AB  - Lean proponents argue that we should eliminate buffers because they are wasteful, impede workflow, and hinder performance. Yet, there is some work in (lean) construction that calls this into question. Buffers have been commonly used to shield production by absorbing the impact of uncertainties and variability that would normally disrupt production. Buffers can take many forms including materials (inventory), W.I.P. (work-in-procress, subassemblies, stock, safety stock), deliberate and unintentional delays (time buffers, lags, pacing mechanisms), and excesses of labor and equipment capacity (capacity buffers). To lean producers, these items slow production, obscure and worsen quality problems, and burden management with unnecessary activity. However, in construction, where conditions are often uncertain and variable, lean constructors have suggested that buffers be sized and located according to the conditions. This paper analyzes the relationship between buffers and performance in construction with data collected from three commercial projects to see how buffers influence performance. The size of the buffer between rebar fabrication and installation in the construction of a structural system is compared to the labor performance of the crew. The results show that some buffer is needed between steps in order to achieve best performance in the construction operations studied.
KW  - Buffers
KW  - lean construction.
L1  - https://www.iglc.net/papers/details/206/pdf
UR  - https://www.iglc.net/papers/details/206
DB  - IGLC.net
LA  - English
N1  - Export date: 04 October 2026
ER  -