Highlights from the LCI LA/OC CoP Owner’s Panel
The Lean Construction Institute (LCI) Los Angeles/Orange County Community of Practice (CoP) hosted an Owner’s Panel on September 25th titled Lean Strategies: Multi-Project Portfolio Delivery: How does lean help manage multiple projects campus-wide? The sold-out event brought together industry leaders to discuss the unique challenges and triumphs of scaling Lean practices across large, multi-project portfolios.
Moderated expertly by Dave Hagan, Lean Sensei (BA), the panel featured prominent owner representatives spanning diverse public and private sectors:
- Gillian Tiede, PE, CCM – Assistant Deputy Director, Los Angeles County Public Works, Project Management Division I
- Kevin Laut, CSLB Class B, CCM, CASp, DBIA, LEED – Interim Chief of Construction Services, Capital Planning, Design, & Construction, California State University, Office of the Chancellor
- Christine Wang, AIA, LEED AP – Program Director, Planning & Design, Enterprise Masterplan & Planning, Design and Construction, Rady Children’s Health / CHOC
Insights on Portfolio-Wide Implementation
The panelists offered a refreshing level of transparency regarding where their respective organizations stand on their Lean journeys, addressing the realities of managing Lean initiatives across multiple campuses and simultaneous projects. The panelists highlighted key ways practitioners can offer vital support and education to help their Lean journey progress.
A central theme of the discussion was how contracting structures influence the ability to deploy Lean strategies, alongside practical ways to overcome contractual barriers. For instance, Kevin Laut shared how the California State University Chancellor’s Office successfully embedded Lean expectations directly into their Division 1 specifications, sparking a major organizational culture shift.
Overcoming Resistance and Building Trust
The conversation also tackled the ongoing challenge of securing stakeholder buy-in. Deep-rooted industry preconceptions regarding the traditional roles and motivations of contractors and designers continue to present hurdles. Panelists emphasized that addressing this requires establishing foundational trust early—trust that ripples outward to influence key stakeholders and end-users.
Tools like Choosing by Advantages (CBA) were highlighted as powerful mechanisms to help teams evaluate options objectively, level-set knowledge among stakeholders, and drive transparent, collaborative decision-making. Ultimately, the panel agreed that broader adoption of modern construction methods relies on a powerful combination of trust and proven performance. When teams consistently deliver on their commitments, they build the confidence owners need to embrace new ways of working.
Event Highlights
The morning kicked off with a coffee and breakfast reception, followed by an engaging LIVELAB by Touchplan demonstration showcasing collaborative planning in action before transitioning into the main panel discussion. Ten USC Students attended the event.
A special thank you goes to our incredible host and sponsor, the PIVOT Foundry Showroom, for providing a fantastic venue. We are also deeply grateful to the generous sponsors whose support made this impactful networking and community-building event possible.
Stay tuned for future LCI LA/Orange County CoP events as they continue growing their Vibrant community of Lean professionals!
Visit LCI’s Events Calendar to explore what’s happening at a LCI Community of Practice near you and get engaged locally!
