The Application of Lean Construction Tools in United Kingdom Construction Organisations: Findings From a Qualitative Inquiry

Several Lean construction tools have been developed based on Lean principles to help improve productivity and minimise resources utilisation in building construction. Though Lean construction practice is centred around the same Lean principles, companies have tended to develop and adopt different tools. The study is aimed at identifying the different tools applied and the rationale behind the variation in the tools' selection and application. An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken using semi-structured telephone interviews with 7 key personnel from 7 contracting firms in the United Kingdom to investigate the Lean construction tools they apply and the rationale behind selecting and applying such tools. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded based on emerging themes and analysed using a thematic analysis approach. It was found that the tools selected were found to differ among the companies due to variations in the drivers for adopting Lean construction in the organisations. The analysis revealed 18 Lean tools and 19 drivers for adoption of Lean construction principles in these organisations. The main drivers were time and cost reduction, clients' satisfaction, efficiency, quality, health and safety, and process improvement. The study concludes that the drivers to Lean practise in an organisation play a role in determining what tools are selected and applied in the organisation. The findings reported will be of interest to companies in helping them to select the appropriate tools when adopting Lean construction in their organisations.