November 20, 2025
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DC Metro CoP Discusses the Future of Lean in a Changing World
The DC Metro Community of Practice (CoP) gathered for a lively Lean Coffee session to recap the 27th Annual LCI Congress in Arlington, Texas. Several people at the event were attending their first-ever CoP meeting, providing fresh voices that sparked robust discussion, which reflects the growing excitement around Lean design and construction.
Multiple hot topics regarding the future of Lean in design and construction were discussed over the course of the 90-minute meeting. These three items were some of the most important on people’s minds.
- Is AI a Lean Tool?
The question of whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be considered a Lean tool was a stimulating topic. Discussions centered on how AI can eliminate waste (e.g., in data analysis or redundant processes) and improve flow, positioning it as a powerful new method for continuous improvement. - Lean on Mission Critical Projects
Focusing on projects outside the healthcare sector, such as mission-critical facilities, the group explored unique motivators and applications of Lean principles. A key insight was the value of working with the same subcontractors across multiple projects.This group highlighted how prefabrication, while sometimes more expensive upfront, provides immense value by speeding up material movement and meeting timeline expectations, an incentive that can lead to being retained for future contracts if your team is successful. One participant posited that the focus on efficiency and flow inherent in advanced prefab leads directly to Lean behaviors.💬 “Lean is a consequence of prefab.”
- Lean Scalability and Team Buy-in
How do we apply Lean effectively on small projects and ensure the entire team is thinking Lean? The challenge of onboarding new players in a quick-moving project was a central theme:
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- Tools for Quick Hits: Decision-making tools like A3, Target Value Delivery (TVD), Big Room, and Early Contractor Involvement were cited as helpful methods for small projects.
- The Small Project Dilemma: It’s difficult to move a team from “forming to performing quickly” when the project duration is short. The team discussed the emphasized need for standardized workflows and clear communication on quick-turnaround projects.
Communities of Practice are a great place to have real, actionable discussions about applying Lean on your projects. Whether you’re brand-new to Lean (like many of our participants in this discussion!) or have been utilizing Lean tools on projects for years, you’ll find incredible value in sharing insights with like-minded individuals.
Find out if there’s a Community of Practice near you, or sign up for a virtual CoP event which can be attended by anyone! (Type “virtual” in the Search by Keywords tool on the events page.)
Member Connections
Findorff Shares How Corporate Membership Fuels Their Lean Success
Watch as Anuj Dubey and Wyatt Wirkus of Findorff, a general contractor based out of Madison, Wisconsin, discuss the value of LCI corporate membership.
Their company has found immense value in utilizing Lean tools provided to corporate members such as eLearning and recorded webinars.
Learn more about how LCI corporate membership can help your organization learn key Lean skills to collaborate better and minimize waste and schedule delays.
Team Dynamics Assessment
In partnership with the Lean Construction Institute (LCI)
Let’s make our teams better—together. This short, research-informed assessment helps us understand how we work with one another—how we speak up, listen, keep commitments, learn, and care for each other on the job. It’s confidential and anonymous and takes about 20 minutes.
Choose how you want to participate:
Option A — Take it as an individual
- Your responses contribute to an industry-wide benchmark that helps us see where our sector stands and track progress over time. You won’t receive a personal report but you will have access to the benchmark report to be published yearly.
Option B — Run it with your team
- Invite your team to participate (we recommend inviting all team members).
- If 75% or more of invited teammates complete it, you’ll receive a team-level report showing strengths, opportunities, and simple next steps to improve performance—together.
- No individual answers are ever shared; results are aggregated for the team.
Language & craftworker access:
- Assessment available in English and Spanish.
- Inviting craftworkers: Upon request, we can provide a unique QR code (or link) for your craftworker group so you don’t have to register each person individually. The QR code is specific to your group only. To request it, please email buildingteams@sulyngomez.com.
Your privacy
We value your participation. Responses are strictly confidential and anonymous and used only for research. Team results are aggregated—no individual answers are shared.
Why this matters?
- Psychological safety → healthier behaviors → stronger performance. Higher psychological safety related to stronger behaviors like reliable promising and active listening—both linked to better team performance.
- Teams learn and execute better when it’s safe to speak up. Research across sectors shows psychological safety enables learning behaviors and boosts team efficacy and productivity.
- Well-being underpins sustainable performance. Current construction research highlights significant mental-health stressors; building safer, more supportive teams is a practical lever for healthier, higher-performing organizations.
Ready to start?
- Go to: www.sulyngomez.com/BuildingOneTeam
- Click “Take as Individual” or “Run for My Team”
- Complete the assessment (≈20 minutes) on psychological safety and seven everyday behaviors
- Outcomes: Individuals help build the industry benchmark; qualifying teams receive a clear team report with practical, easy-to-use ideas.
Need help? Email buildingteams@sulyngomez.com.
Seats Are Filling Fast for the LCI Certification Workshop
Don’t miss Mapping Your Pathway to LCI Certification on December 5! This live virtual workshop gives you the clarity, structure, and expert support you need to complete your certification application with confidence.
$349 Non-Members | $249 LCI Members
Upcoming Webinars
December 4, 2025
LCI Mindset of An Effective Big Room
December 17, 2025
NEW: Getting Decisions That Stick
Lean Assessments
How strong is your Lean knowledge? Take a Lean assessment to determine your current state so you have a baseline for improvement. Lean assessments are available for individuals, teams, and organizations alike. Whether you’re new to Lean or are an experienced Lean practitioner, Lean assessments are a great way to get started at LCI!
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