Skip to main content

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Production Engineering ((LNPE))

Abstract

In on-site production, mass-customized subproducts are assembled through standardized processes. The production is pushing mass customization to the edge by producing unique and complex products. Due to the project structure, it has proven difficult to avoid repetitions of problems and to learn from mistakes. A central part of the control framework Last Planner System is to identify not completed activities to identify root causes and to learn. One tool to investigate root causes is the 5 WHYs approach. The 5 WHYs approach has been applied in a case study research to analysis the root cause to not completed activities. In total, 17 non-completed activities were registered and analyzed. To reduce non-completions, the risks each activity is carrying should be analyzed and understood, the product should be followed to identify problems early and to reveal time for intervention, and finally, communication on-site should be strengthened.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Tseng, M.M., Jiao, J.: Handbook of Industrial Engineering, Technology and Operation Management. Wiley, New York (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ballard, G.: Implementing lean construction: stabilizing work flow. In: Proceedings for the 2nd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction, pp. 101–110. Santiego (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ballard, G., Howell, G.: Shielding production: essential step in production control. J. Constr. Eng. Manage. 124(1), 11–17 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Lindhard, S., Wandahl, S.: Scheduling of large, complex, and constrained construction projects—an exploration of LPS application. Int. J. Project Organ. Manage (2012c) (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Lindhard, S., Wandahl, S.: Exploration of the reasons to non-completions in construction. Int. J. Oper. Prod. Manage. Submitted. (2013a)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Jones, C., Medlen, N., Merlo, C., Robertson, M., Shepherdson, J.: The Lean Enterprise. BT Technol. J. 17(4), 15–22 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Simonsson, P., Emborg, M.: Increasing productivity through utilization of new construction techniques and lean construction philosophies in civil engineering projects. Nord. Concr. Res. Publ. 39(1) (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Womack, J.P., Jones, D.T., Roos, D.: The Machine that Changed the World. Rawson Associates, New York (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Graves, R.: Total quality—does it work in engineering management? J. Manage. Eng. 9(4), 444–455 (1993)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  10. Tsao, C.C.Y., Tommelein, I.D., Swanlund, E., Howell, G.: Case Study for work structuring: installation of metal door frames. In: Proceeding of the 8th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hartley, J.: Case Study Research. Essential guide to qualitative methods in organizational research. Cassell, Catherine; Symon, Gil, pp. 323–333. SAGE Publications Inc, California (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Eisenhardt, K.M.: Building theories from case study research. Acad. Manag. Rev. 14(4), 532–550 (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Mintzberg, H.: An emerging strategy of “direct” research. Adm. Sci. Q. 24(4), 582–589 (1979)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Ballard, G.: The last planner system of production control. PhD Thesis, University of Birmingham (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Lindhard, S., Wandahl, S.: Improving the making ready process—exploring the preconditions to work tasks in construction. In: Proceedings for the 20th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction, San Diego (2012b)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Lindhard, S., Wandahl, S.: Looking for improvements in last planner system: defining selection criteria. ICCREM 2013. In: International Conference on Construction and Real Estate Management (2013d)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Koskela, L., Howell, G.: Reforming project management: the role of planning, execution and controlling. In: Proceeding for the 9th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction, Singapore (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Liu, M., Ballard, G.: Improving labor productivity through production control. In: Proceedings for the 16th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction, Manchester, UK (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Bertelsen, S.: Construction as a complex system. In: Proceedings for the 11th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction, Virginia (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Lindhard, S., Wandahl, S.: Designing for second generation value—future proofing constructions, COBRA 2012-RICS. In: International Research Conference (2012a)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Lindhard, S.: Exploring the last planner system in the search for excellence. PhD Thesis, Aalborg University (2013b)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Søren Lindhard .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Lindhard, S. (2014). Applying the 5 WHYs to Identify Root Causes to Non-completions in On-Site Construction. In: Brunoe, T., Nielsen, K., Joergensen, K., Taps, S. (eds) Proceedings of the 7th World Conference on Mass Customization, Personalization, and Co-Creation (MCPC 2014), Aalborg, Denmark, February 4th - 7th, 2014. Lecture Notes in Production Engineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04271-8_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04271-8_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-04270-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-04271-8

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics