August 22, 2024

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August 22, 2024

Membership Connections: 5 Questions With...

This week, Jennifer Lacy, CM-Lean, CPSM, Building Forward®️ Lean Practice Leader at Robins & Morton shares insights on measuring success with Lean. Read more about their journey in understanding how Lean impacts projects and people.

Jennifer Lacy, CM-Lean, CPSM
Building Forward Lean Practice Leader
Robins & Morton

1. What hurdles did you encounter when measuring Lean implementation in your company, and how did you tackle them?

When we first started measuring our progress with our Building Forward approach – our cultural commitment to continuous improvement, based on Lean philosophies – our primary objective was to ensure that we weren’t collecting data just to collect it. Our goal was to distill actionable insights from the information. Not only did we ask ourselves, “What are we measuring?” but we also asked why we are measuring those specific items and how we do it in a way that’s sustainable.

It was, and is, essential that our team members, who put so much effort into implementing Lean tools, could see the benefit of sitting down at regular intervals and reporting on their progress – comprehensively and honestly. Communicating that message and providing a tool to make it as easy as possible were critical steps to taking Lean to the next level at Robins & Morton.

2. What stories can you share about the outcomes of measuring your company’s Lean performance and what do you think made it work?

While I’m thrilled about the substantial increase in our database and benchmarking information, I’m most proud of the way I’ve seen thought processes change. Over time, our team members have begun thinking more carefully about how to respond to assessments, making the collected data more comprehensive and reliable.

3. In your opinion, what are the biggest benefits of applying Lean and how have they impacted your projects, your teams, or your organization?

At a foundational level, we see an undeniable increase in efficiency, improved quality, and enhanced team morale. As a result, we’re able to make a very compelling business case for applying Lean, as we see a reduction in overall project timelines and costs. Most importantly, however, Lean cultivates a culture of respect and collaboration. Our teams feel more empowered and valued, which has led to greater job satisfaction and is critical in the industry’s ongoing efforts to recruit and retain talent.

4. What measurements are you looking for when determining if your Lean game is improving?

When we talk about measurement, we have to measure outcomes that contribute to organizational goals and objectives, which can vary by company. For Robins & Morton, our efforts began strictly with implementation. How many projects are using recommended Lean tools and which ones are they using? Why? As we began to better understand these behaviors, we extended our measurement into collaborations with other support departments and operational teams – Human Resources, Innovation, Preconstruction, Accounting, Marketing, Sustainability, and more. This is helping us better understand the big-picture impacts. Are we retaining team members at a higher percentage? Are our positive engagements with trade partners improving the number of contractors bidding our work? And so on.

5. If someone’s just dipping their toes into Lean measurement, what advice would you offer from lessons you’ve learned?

For those just starting with Lean measurement, my advice is to begin by setting initial goals. Identify what you’re trying to improve or overcome at a high level and establish reasonable first steps to getting there within a specific time frame. Lean tools will be part of the implementation process but try not to get lost in using every single tool immediately or “flipping the Lean switch” and making them a requirement overnight. Change can be difficult, but adoption happens when your field team members understand the purpose behind the tools and can see the big picture. Focus on helping them understand how each tool eliminates waste, builds relationships, improves communication, and makes work less stressful.

It’s a great idea to set a vision of where you eventually want to be, but recognize that a Lean journey is a journey. Instituting the PDCA cycle in all of those first steps will lead to stronger second and third steps. Continue to build on that. For some early in your journey, you may wonder why we even begin if we never reach “the end,” but I think the more you develop a Lean mindset, you discover that the process is the best part.

Congress Spotlight: The National Owner Panel

Don’t miss the 2024 LCI Congress, October 22-25, in San Diego, where Lean leaders will share tips and takeaways through case studies, candid conversations, and more! Enjoy this sneak peek of the always popular National Owner Panel, an enlightening discussion between three influential industry leaders, taking place Wednesday, October 23, at 9 a.m.

The panel features Luciana Burdi, Director of Capital Programs & Environmental Affairs, Massport; Digby Christian, Executive Director of Project Delivery, Sutter Health; and Bill Seed, Consultant, Jackson Health System, and will be moderated by Victor Sanvido, Senior Vice President, Southland Industries. The panelists will share the owner perspective on eliminating waste to improve project delivery in the context of their programs, backgrounds, and challenges.

Learn more about the National Owner Panel speakers and topics—and all the Congress sessions—in the interactive agenda.

Clockwise: Bill Seed, Jackson Health System; Luciana Burdi, Massport; Digby Christian, Sutter Health; Victor Sanvido, Southland

Early registration rates end midnight EST on September 12th—register today for the lowest available rates!

Register now to collaborate and advance together at Congress!

Quick Tip: Register for the Core Program (Wednesday/Thursday), then you’ll have the option to add on the Golf Tournament (Monday), Learning Day (Tuesday), and Gemba Day (Friday).

Contact Joan Piccariello with questions on the Congress program.

Contact Ilene Goldberg with questions on sponsor or exhibitor packages. Sponsorship/Exhibit opportunities close September 6th!

Preparing for the Knowledge Assessment: Utilize Our Refresher Resources

Getting ready for the knowledge assessment portion of LCI’s certification? Our refresher resources are here to help! These tools are designed to assist you in reviewing essential Lean concepts and strengthening your understanding, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the assessment.

We recommend starting with the knowledge assessment content outline found in our handbook. This outline offers a clear overview of the topics you’ll be tested on. After reviewing the content outline, use ozur refresher resources to revisit the materials covered in the assessment. Whether you’re looking to refresh your knowledge or gain a deeper understanding, these resources serve as a valuable reference.

While these resources do not guarantee that you will pass the knowledge assessment, they are an excellent way to ensure you’re thoroughly prepared.

Explore our refresher resources and begin your preparation today. For more details, visit our refresher resources page.

Curated Content: Boost Team Efficiency with Daily Huddles

Effective communication and collaboration are the cornerstones of any Lean enterprise. Did you know that just over half of the tasks outlined in a Weekly Work Plan actually get completed on time? This inefficiency can lead to wasted resources, delayed timelines, and unexpected costs.

Daily huddles offer a quick yet powerful solution. By bringing your team together each day, you can ensure everyone stays aligned with weekly goals, reducing waste and keeping projects on track. Discover how incorporating daily huddles into your routine can help minimize overhead costs and drive better project outcomes by clicking the curated content banner above to learn more on our website.

Upcoming Webinars

August 29, 2024
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
Building Better with LCI

September 6, 2024
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET
Intro to the Last Planner System®

September 24, 2024
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm ET
FREE: vPlanner V5: A New Era in Lean Project Management

September 26, 2024
11:00 am – 11:30 am ET
FREE: Enhancing Lean with AI and Predictive Analytics

September 26, 2024
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm ET
FREE: Lead with Data, Manage with Facts, Foster Continuous Growth

Get Lean Topics at Your Jobsite

You can enhance your job site with a Lean Construction Institute poster! These helpful visuals explain and guide your team through important Lean concepts. The posters are printer ready and can be scaled to your desired dimensions. Print downloads are available as a member benefit to LCI Corporate Members, otherwise are available for purchase.

Jobsite Posters

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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2024 Congress Sponsors

Upcoming CoP Events

03
Tue
Dec

Building Bridges: Taboo Talks in Construction

Colorado Community of Practice
04
Wed
Dec

MILWAUKEE AREA Lean Coffee

Wisconsin Community of Practice
10
Tue
Dec

Solo Lean: Flow Like Lasso

Greater Des Moines Community of Practice
13
Fri
Dec

Lean “Reindeer Games” Simulations

Ohio Valley Community of Practice
13
Fri
Dec

How to Facilitate a Retrospective

Georgia Community of Practice

Upcoming National Events

05
Thu
Dec

Using Takt to Develop Project Execution Strategies

Webinar
19
Thu
Dec

Principles of Target Value Delivery (TVD)

Webinar
09
Thu
Jan

5S in Lean Construction

Webinar
23
Thu
Jan

Writing Effective RFPs for Lean Projects

Webinar
06
Thu
Feb

LCI Introduction to Lean Project Delivery

Webinar
27
Thu
Feb

NEW: LCI Blueprint for Efficiency: Exploring the 8 Wastes

Webinar
04
Fri
Apr

Lean in the Design Phase

Webinar
18
Fri
Apr

Introduction to the Last Planner System® in Design

Webinar
08
Thu
May

LCI Principles of Target Value Delivery (TVD)

Webinar
05
Fri
Sep

Introduction to the Last Planner System®

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Field Crew Huddle

Explore the Field Crew Huddle website to see how community of practice members are contributing to a platform for sharing methods, improvements and lessons learned on project sites or shops. Want to be featured? Now accepting submissions.

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