April 9, 2026
Less Than 3 Weeks Away: Lean in Design Forum 2026
The clock is ticking! The 2026 Lean in Design Forum is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see you in Chicago.
Spotlight Speaker: Amy Marks, SVP of Innovation and Sustainability, Compass Datacenter
Known industry-wide as the “Queen of Prefab,” Amy will challenge attendees to think beyond individual projects and organizations to the broader ecosystem required to drive lasting value.
Drawing on Toyota’s model of trusted supply chain partnerships and her deep experience in prefabrication, Amy will explore how Lean principles, including value vs. effort, kaizen, flow, and lifecycle thinking, can be applied at a systems level to accelerate innovation and performance across the industry.
2026 Lean in Design Forum
Aligning Expectations: Clarity Upstream, Confidence Downstream
April 28 to 29, 2026
Chicago, Illinois
For questions about the Lean in Design Forum program, email Joan Piccariello.
Member Connections
From Field to Portfolio: Revisit the Lean Marketplace, Day Two
Catch What You Missed: The Lean Marketplace, August 27
The second day of The 2025 Lean Marketplace brought four more sessions focused on efficiency, workforce development, and smarter project oversight.
Buildots demonstrated how AI and computer vision track on-site activity against schedule and model — detecting risks, surfacing root causes, and building the data foundation for continuous improvement. Partnerships for Excellence made a compelling argument for TWI Job Breakdown Sheets as a proven tool to standardize tasks and dramatically reduce rework and training time.
SmartPM walked through how automated schedule analytics can unify project oversight, predict risks early, and bring real accountability to complex project delivery. PMWEB rounded out the day by exploring how a single connected platform — spanning planning, cost, scheduling, and field processes — supports Lean principles at portfolio scale.
All four sessions are available to watch on demand at the 2025 Lean Marketplace page.
The 2026 Lean Marketplace is coming — save these dates: June 10, June 17, November 13, and November 20. Details launching soon!
Proof of Practice. The Verified Standard for Lean Project Delivery
Lean expertise isn’t built in a classroom, it’s earned in the field. LCI Certification is designed to recognize professionals who have applied Lean principles on real projects, under real conditions, and delivered measurable results. It’s independent validation that your experience translates into impact.
Certification strengthens your professional standing and differentiates you in a competitive market.
Two certification paths are available:
- LCI-CPC for construction professionals applying Lean in the field
- LCI-CPD for design professionals advancing Lean in project design
Both pathways reflect a commitment to improving workflows, eliminating waste, and driving better project performance.
In an industry where experience matters, verified experience matters more. If you’ve been applying Lean Project Delivery in your work, certification is the next step, turning what you’ve built in practice into a credential that speaks for itself.
Explore how you can take the next step toward certification and join a growing network of verified Lean leaders.
Discover a Better Way at Your Local CoP
Lean doesn’t live in theory. It lives in conversations, shared experiences, and real project challenges.
LCI’s Communities of Practice (CoPs) bring people together to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and strengthen Lean thinking through peer connection.
Whether you’re new to Lean or years into your journey, CoPs offer a place to stay engaged and keep learning alongside others doing the work.
Your local community is already having the conversations that move projects forward!
WEBINAR TOMORROW: LCI Lean in the Design Phase
The Design Phase is where project outcomes are won. This Lean webinar, hosted by Christian Pikel of The ReAlignment Group, gives you practical tools to improve collaboration, streamline communication, and drive better results.
In this webinar, you’ll:
- Grasp core Lean concepts and the eight wastes
- Learn how to build high-performing, collaborative teams
- Apply key methods like Big Room, Target Value Delivery, and Collaborative Planning
- Use set-based design to improve decisions and outcomes
Upcoming Webinars
April 10, 2026
Lean in the Design Phase
April 24, 2026
Introduction to the Last Planner System® in Design
Thank You Signature Sponsors!
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
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Keynote Sponsorship
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Conference App
Lanyards
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