Lean in Design Forum 2026
REGISTER!
04/10 WEBINAR: Lean in the Design Phase
REGISTER!
04/26 WEBINAR: Introduction to the Last Planner System® in Design
2026 LCI Lean in Design Forum
Aligning Expectations:
Clarity Upstream, Confidence Downstream
April 28-29, 2026
Chicago, Illinois
Project success begins here.
Projects are won or lost before drawings are complete. Join professionals from across the built environment who want to deepen and advance Lean practices in the validation phase of building.
The Lean in Design Forum is the one conference that focuses on design as a driver of project success using Lean design practices that improve workflows and strengthen decision-making. You will learn proven tools for target value delivery (TVD) and set-based design and leave energized by smaller scaled networking with industry leaders.
Alignment doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s designed.
Design Forum is LCI’s most intimate and impactful event, designed for leaders who care about getting alignment right before it’s costly to fix. Focused conversations. Practical tools. Stronger decisions upstream.
Late surprises aren’t “construction problems.” They’re alignment failures. The Lean in Design Forum isn’t solely a design conference. It’s a decision-making forum for early alignment during project validation.
WHO IT’S FOR
Join the people shaping outcomes early.
This unique event brings together all members of our design and construction community to align expectations to. Achieve a truly integrated approach that fuels exceptional project outcomes for all stakeholders in the validation phase.
Designers, engineers & architects will explore the latest Lean thinking and tactics to integrate into design workflows. Come away with Lean tools to drive on-time delivery, efficiency, and design decisions that hold.
Owners and owner’s representatives reduce rework and redesign by learning how to utilize Lean practices during the validation phase to reduce risk, protect capital value, and set projects up to perform long after delivery.
Trade Partners will collaborate directly with all design and pre-construction stakeholders on the Lean tools that clarify scope, reduce rework, and improve flow before work begins.
General Contractors avoid costly redesign and rework and achieve operational excellence by using Lean design tools to build trust and clarity at the front-end of decision-making from concept to completion.
Design Forum creates space for the conversations that usually happen too late. Through shared case studies, facilitated dialogue and Lean learning, teams align to reduce risk, avoid rework and drive lasting project success.
“Design is an important phase where iterations lead to clarity. Durable decisions coming out of this phase help downstream work happen seamlessly. I come to Design forum because this is where subject matter experts from the lean community come to share their successes, experiments and lessons learnt on how they achieved this clarity leading to project success. I also attend Design Forum to introduce new members of the design community with interest in Lean and help them grow their knowledgebase and community alignment.”
Neelanjana Sen
Principal, Healthcare
Stantec
THIS YEAR’S PROGRAM
This is where expectations get aligned before they become problems.
The Lean in Design Forum focuses on Lean tools that create clarity early and confidence all the way through delivery. Presentations span a wide range of project types and delivery contexts, including mission-critical facilities, healthcare, manufacturing, and education. The emphasis is on real decisions, real behaviors, and real strategies that enable alignment across teams and organizations.
You’ll explore how implementing Lean practices in the design and validation phase and work flow create the conditions for stronger project outcomes, including:
- Clearer alignment between stakeholders
- More confident decision making
- Better workflows and handoffs
- Greater creativity with fewer late stage surprises
- Stronger cost control and value focus
Keynote Speakers
The 2026 LCI Lean in Design Forum is where clarity, connection, and collaboration take center stage. The keynote speakers will dive into the importance of finding the right people and how to inspire high-performing teams.
Amy Marks, SVP, Innovation and Sustainability at Compass Datacenters
Kyle Majchrowski, Author, Powerful Conversations
Top Five Reasons to Attend
- Learn Lean design practices from industry leaders and peers
- Leave with practical tools you can use right away
- Improve early alignment and decision quality while changes are still affordable
- Connect with professionals across the design and preconstruction spectrum
- Build the capability and confidence to lead Lean in the design phase
Venue
VOCO Chicago Downtown
350 W. Wolf Point Plaza
Chicago, IL 60654, US
866.238.4218
Please note that the hotel room block expires on April 6th. The link to book will be emailed with the registration confirmation.
Be in the room where better projects begin.
Gain unparalleled opportunities to showcase your brand, increase visibility, and engage directly with decision-makers in the AEC industry.
By sponsoring or exhibiting at Design Forum, you will:
- Increase your brand’s exposure to a highly targeted audience of Lean professionals
- Strengthen your position as a thought leader in the Lean community
- Gain exclusive opportunities to network with industry leaders and innovators
- Be prominently featured across LCI’s digital platforms, including our website, emails, and social media
For more information about sponsorship and exhibit opportunities, email Ilene Goldberg, Manager, Sponsor & Exhibitor Relations or call at 703.785.9087.
Continuing Education
LCI is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number H561. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).
The April 29 Design Forum program is approved for 6 AIA HSW learning units.
This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
DBIA and PDH credits: Design Forum attendees can self-report for DBIA and PDH credits.
2026 Lean in Design Forum Exhibitors
Table 8
Table 3
Table 4
Table 2
Table 9
Table 10
Table 5
Table 6
Table 1
2026 Lean in Design Forum Sponsors
Featured Sponsor
Keynote Sponsorship
Deluxe Sponsors
Conference App
Lanyards
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Advertising Sponsor
Start aligned. Stay aligned.
The Lean community comes together at the Lean in Design Forum for smaller-scale networking and hands-on learning focused on projects’ design phases and workflows prior to the construction phase.
You can’t afford to miss this year’s Design Forum to learn how to align, integrate, and build better. Measure twice, cut once.
