How Owners Engage with Lean—and Each Other—Through LCI
Owners play a unique and essential role in transforming the design and construction industry. As the customers of the AEC ecosystem, owners shape outcomes long before the first shovel hits the ground—through how projects are scoped, teams are selected, and expectations are set.
At the Lean Construction Institute (LCI), owner engagement is intentionally designed to support that responsibility—by creating spaces where owners learn from peers, explore proven Lean practices, and strengthen their ability to deliver predictable, high-value capital projects.
Who is Considered an “Owner”?
LCI defines owners as organizations that procure design and construction services to deliver capital projects. This includes public and private entities such as healthcare systems, higher education institutions, developers, corporate real estate groups, and government agencies.
To participate in owner-specific programming, individuals must be employees of an LCI owner member organization. This distinction matters as owners have consistently told us they value dedicated environments where they can speak candidly with peers who share similar responsibilities, constraints, and pressures.
Owner Lean Coffees: A Peer Space, by Design
One of the most meaningful ways owners engage with LCI is through Owner Lean Coffees. These are small, informal, virtual gatherings designed exclusively for owners.
These sessions are not presentations or training classes. They are facilitated peer conversations where owners:
- Compare approaches to project delivery and contracting
- Discuss what Lean looks like from the owner’s seat
- Learn how other organizations are aligning teams around value, reliability, and Respect for People
- Explore what is, and is not, working in real projects
The Owner Lean Coffees exist because owner members asked for them. In listening sessions, owners were clear: they wanted a trusted, owner-only space to exchange experiences and insights with peers, free from sales pitches or external pressures.
2026 Owner Lean Coffee Dates
All 2026 Owner Lean Coffees are now posted on the LCI website, with individual registration links for each session:
Registration is handled the same way as other LCI events—simply select the date that fits your schedule and register online.
Many owners attend multiple sessions throughout the year, using the series as an ongoing forum to stay connected to peers and evolving practices.
Why Owners Choose to Engage Through LCI
Owners who actively engage with LCI consistently cite similar benefits:
- Perspective – Exposure to how other owners structure teams, contracts, and decision-making
- Confidence – Greater clarity on how Lean principles translate into owner behaviors and expectations
- Connection – Relationships with peers who understand the owner’s role in enabling project success
- Credibility – Access to a respected, neutral forum grounded in research and real-world experience
These connections often extend beyond scheduled events—informing internal conversations, shaping procurement strategies, and strengthening collaboration with AEC partners.
A Growing Community of Owner Engagement
Owner Lean Coffees are one part of a broader and growing owner presence within LCI. Owners engage across research, education, and community conversations—bringing their voice to the center of industry transformation.
Additional owner-focused opportunities are offered at LCI national events, Lean in Design Forum and the LCI Congress event.
The LCI Lean in Design Forum is coming up April 29-30. 2026, Chicago. The theme this year is Aligning Expectations: Clarity Upstream, Confidence Downstream.
Why Owners Should Attend the Lean in Design Forum
Implementing Lean practices during the pre-construction design phase can drive on-time delivery, cost efficiency, and project success by aligning expectations early between project stakeholders. At the Lean in Design Forum, you’ll get up to speed on the latest Lean design tools and tactics to look for from all your project partners, including designers, architects, engineers, general contractors, and trade partners.
The 28th Annual LCI Congress will be held October 12-16, Atlanta. Owners are encouraged to submit an abstract to present during the October 14-15 Core program. The abstract submission window opens January 20. An owner-only track will be offered. LCI was pleased to have over 50 owner organizations attend the 2025 LCI Congress.
Project owners drive Lean transformation, and students are its future leaders. Yet many are unable to attend LCI’s national events—the premier forum for learning, collaboration, and innovation—due to financial barriers. Donate today to the LCI Owner & Student Scholarship Fund to enable owners and students to access the ideas, tools, and community that accelerate Lean leadership today and build a stronger industry tomorrow.
For additional information on LCI national events, contact Joan Piccariello.
Owners interested in deepening their engagement are encouraged to connect with Maryann Fiala to discuss how LCI can support your team.