January 30, 2025

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January 30, 2025

LCI Chicago CoP Lean Pizza: Empowering AEC Students at Northwestern University


Northwestern University students learn about Lean and the Lean Coffee process during a Lean Pizza event!

On January 14, students from Northwestern University’s AEC programs participated in a Lean Pizza session organized by the LCI Chicago Community of Practice (CoP). This event offered a hands-on introduction to Lean Construction principles, guided by Ratna Kunwar of Gilbane Building Company and Ryan Woosley of Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc.

The session featured the Lean Coffee process, allowing students to suggest and vote on discussion topics. Key conversations included architects’ roles in decision-making, Lean horror stories, safety, office vs. site work, Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), company team-building activities, and even Chicago’s architecture and food scene.

Looking ahead, the Chicago CoP plans to engage additional university partners throughout 2025 and may return to Northwestern for another session with this dynamic group of students.

Find your local CoP today!

The Congress Abstract/Proposal Process—It's as Easy as 1-2-3!

Explore top tips for abstract success in our latest blog post—and get ready to share your story at the 2025 LCI Congress this October in Arlington, Texas. Kevin Labrecque, Congress abstract review leader, shares insights to help you prepare a winning presentation proposal.
Help advance Lean practices while building your network. Submit your abstract by Wednesday, March 5.

Questions about the Congress program? Contact Joan Piccariello, for more information.

Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at this year’s Congress? Contact Ilene Goldberg,  or call (703) 785-9087, for more information.

Sponsor or Exhibit at the LCI Design Forum in Chicago!

It’s time for your company or organization to get involved at the 2025 LCI Design Forum, April 30 – May 1st in Chicago, IL, the must-attend event for professionals eager to learn about and advance Lean practices in design, architecture, engineering, and construction.

Sponsor or exhibit at this year’s event to gain unparalleled opportunities to showcase your brand, increase visibility, and engage directly with design and construction industry decision-makers.

If you’re interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at this year’s Design Forum, reach out to Ilene Goldberg.

Sponsor/Exhibit Today

Member Connections: 5 Questions With Benjamin Foreman

This week on 5 Questions With…, we spoke with Benjamin Foreman, Lean Construction Manager at Hunt Electric. As a trade partner, Benjamin offers a unique perspective on applying Lean principles. His insights are valuable for everyone in the design and construction community as we work together to break down industry silos and foster collaboration across roles.

If you want to be featured in a future edition of LCI Weekly, fill out our online form for 5 Questions With, Project Highlight, or Company Recognition!

If you have any questions about LCI corporate membership, please reach out to Maryann Fiala.

Benjamin Foreman
Lean Construction Manager
Hunt Electric

Standardizing Lean Project Delivery with LCI Certification

LCI Certification standardizes Lean Project Delivery by providing a clear framework rooted in Lean methodologies, with the Last Planner® System as the cornerstone. Through certification, practitioners demonstrate their ability to leverage collaborative planning and establish reliable workflows, driving predictable and improved project outcomes.

The certification also incorporates a variety of other Lean methods and tools, allowing practitioners to validate their ability to apply Lean Project Delivery approaches effectively across different teams and projects. In the accompanying video, Elizabeth Taylor, National Lean Director at JE Dunn Construction, discusses how certification combines proven expertise and experience, showcasing your ability to implement Lean methods effectively in any project or team setting.

Ready to take the next step? Visit our Certification page to learn more about how LCI Certification can elevate your career and impact.

field crew huddle youtube channel cover image
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.

Learn More

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!

TAKE ASSESSMENT
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

Upcoming CoP Events

08
Tue
Jul

Collaborative Leadership Behavior / Stakeholder Engagement

Nashville Community of Practice
08
Tue
Jul

An introduction to Lean - FOX VALLEY

Wisconsin Community of Practice
10
Thu
Jul

A Lean Coffee

Ohio Valley Community of Practice
10
Thu
Jul

Heartbeat of Innovation: A Gemba Walk Through Advocate's Cardiology Center

Chicago Community of Practice
11
Fri
Jul

Less Waste, More Wins: Demystifying Lean Construction

Georgia Community of Practice

Upcoming National Events

10
Thu
Jul

Secrets of Lean Success – What You Need That Most Leave Out

Webinar
14
Mon
Jul

Intro to Lean: Build Better with Lean

LCI National
18
Fri
Jul

Mapping Your Pathway to LCI Certification

LCI National
07
Thu
Aug

How to Build a Culture of Planning and Purpose

Webinar
20
Wed
Aug

The Lean Marketplace

LCI National
21
Thu
Aug

The Importance of Aligning Master Schedules & Field Planning

Webinar
22
Fri
Aug

Lean Practitioners Lean Coffee

LCI National
05
Fri
Sep

Introduction to the Last Planner System®

Webinar
05
Fri
Sep

Target Value Delivery in Action: Hosted in a Virtual Big Room Format

LCI National
12
Fri
Sep

LCI A3 Thinking: Continuous Improvement in Action

Webinar