Site Management of Work-in-Process Buffers to Enhance Project Performance Using the Reliable Commitment Model: Case Study
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 137, Issue 9
Abstract
Buffers have been commonly used as a production strategy to protect construction processes from the negative impact of variability. Construction practitioners and researchers have proposed several buffering approaches for different production situations and contexts. However, these solutions have been impractical for managing buffers. To overcome this, this study proposes a new site methodology for managing work-in-process (WIP) buffer in repetitive projects, on the basis of the reliable commitment model (RCM). RCM is a decision-making tool based on lean principles, which uses statistical models to develop more reliable work plans at the operational level. RCM helps to manage WIP buffer in work plans by using site information and planning reliability indicators that result in improved project performance, such as labor productivity and process progress. A repetitive building project was used as a case study. The main finding was that labor productivity, process progress, and waiting times improved when using larger WIP buffers than those typically used among crews. This shows the potential of RCM as a practical tool to manage WIP buffer sizes and to promote the use of lean production strategies at the operational level.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 137 • Issue 9 • September 2011
Pages: 707 - 715
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 30, 2010
Accepted: Jan 6, 2011
Published online: Jan 8, 2011
Published in print: Sep 1, 2011
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