Lean Architecture

Foreword ix

Acknowledgments xi

Preface xiii

Introduction xvii

Part I Building Blocks For A Lean Practice 1

Chapter 1 A Profession Ripe for Change 3

An Evolving Profession 3

Where We Are Today 3

The Primary Objective 5

Chapter 2 Process Management Explained 9

Process Management 9

Lean 10

Six Sigma 12

Theory of Constraints 13

TRIZ 14

Summary 16

References 16

Chapter 3 The Design Firmâs Problem 17

The Kind of Problem 17

Buildings Are an Organized Complexity 18

Diving Deeper 20

Summary 21

Reference 21

Chapter 4 Lean Architecture 23

3 Goals 24

Productivity and Quality 25

Resolve 29

Challenges 29

Summary 30

References 30

Chapter 5 Learning from Detroit: Influences from Lean Manufacturing 31

Western Manufacturing Compared with Japanese Lean Manufacturing 31

Backgrounder 5.1: Process Management Evolution in the US Manufacturing Industry 35

The Design and Construction Industry Is Not Mass Production 39

Learning from Detroit 41

Backgrounder 5.2: Constructability 42

Reference 47

Part II Areas of Strategic Focus With Applications 49

Chapter 6 Lean Management for Architects 51

The Game 51

Find the Money 58

Donât Fight the Chain 61

Choreograph the Work 63

Backgrounder 6.1: Collaborative Planning 71

We Really Do Need Each Other 79

Manage Your Money 81

Backgrounder 6.2: Financial Metrics 84

The Costs of Doing Business 91

When Fees No Longer Matter 96

References 98

Resource Material 98

Chapter 7 Strategic Areas 127

Accelerate Decision-Making 127

Effective Communication 131

Strategic Modeling 137

Targeted Reviews 148

Reference 157

Resource Material 157

Chapter 8 Streamlining Documentation 171

Working Smarter 171

Impacts from the Adaption of Technology 172

Redundancy 176

Managing Variation 188

Leveraging Graphics and Text for Increased Understanding 193

Working in Context 194

Collective Processes 196

Prototypical System Sheets 197

Systems Packets 208

Cartoon Sets â" Are They Relevant Anymore? 209

The Project Manual 210

Construction Administration 213

Practical Goals for Documentation 214

Resource Material 215

Part III Implementing Lean 259

Chapter 9 Rethinking Your Firm 261

Change 261

A Recipe for Success 263

Lean in Daily Practice 265

Resistance 267

Backgrounder 9.1: Can Design Process Be Lean? 270

Implementation 275

Developing Resources 280

Developing and Sharing Knowledge 284

Backgrounder 9.2: Knowledge Management 286

Developing Tools 293

Importance of Training 301

Summary 302

References 302

Resource Material 302

Chapter 10 Role of Technology 307

Shifting Paradigms 307

Effective Use of Technology 310

Part IV Final Words and Advice 313

Chapter 11 More Than an Initiative 315

Nonnegotiables 316

Permission to Think Lean and Do the Stuff 317

Appendix 319

Index 321