The Lean Construction Institute of Canada (LCI-C) is dedicated to transforming the building industry in Canada by changing how projects are planned, designed, managed, and constructed, in all forms of project delivery. Lean principles, when utilized in construction, can help deliver projects more efficiently, while enhancing productivity, and improving profitability throughout the construction project. Lean Construction has demonstrated its ability to minimize costs and maximize value for all project participants.

To help the Canadian building industry, learn more about Lean construction, and to foster a new culture of continuous improvement in the planning, design and construction industry, LCI-C is pleased to offer The Lean Construction Education Program, developed by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).

The program has total 7 Unit program but there is no prerequisite for any unit and enrolment priorities.

LEARNING Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course participants will be able to:

Unit 1 – Variation in Production Systems

• Define different types of variation in project delivery
• Explain the concept of throughput
• Distinguish between ‘throughput’ and ‘works in progress’
• Describe the role of variation in production operations
• List sources of variation in construction settings
• Differentiate and explain variation mitigation techniques

Unit 2 – Pull in Production

• Compare batch-and-queue and continuous-flow production systems
• Distinguish between ‘push’ and ‘pull’ systems
• Describe the impact of ‘pull’ on production systems
• Explain how ‘pull’ strategies can be utilized in construction operations

Unit 3 – Lean Work structuring

• Apply the methods and tools utilized in pull planning
• Describe the concept of Lean Work structuring
• Outline the desired outcomes of Lean Work structuring
• Describe the characteristics and application of the Last Planner® System

Unit 4 – The Last Planner® System

• Apply the Last Planner System on a project;
• Hold make-ready and weekly work planning sessions; and
• Calculate, track and analyze percent plan complete for a project

Unit 5 – Lean Supply Chain and Assembly

• Differentiate between traditional procurement practices and lean supply chain applications
• Identify waste and value-adding activities within the supply chain and assembly
• Evaluate the impact of using lean supply chain on waste elimination, continuous flow and site operations pull
• Identify strategies needed at the project and company levels to support the lean supply chain
• Expand lean beyond the individual project
• Create a value stream map to diagnose and improve the supply chain

Unit 6 – Lean Design and Pre-construction

• Distinguish between the varying definitions for design.
• Define value and commonly used methods to maximize it.
• Discuss waste and commonly used methods to minimize it.
• Differentiate between traditional project methods and lean design.
• Explain the various lean tools used in design and how to deploy them.

Unit 7 – Problem-solving Principles and Tools

• Define the difference between traditional and lean problem solving.
• Describe how to create a team environment to solve problems.
• Explain how to create trust to avoid problems.
• Describe Observation Walks.
• Identify root causes of problems.

Course Duration: Unit 1 & 2 – 9 hours; Unit 3 & 4 – 9 hours; Unit 5 & 6 hours each;
Unit 7 – 9 hours; 39 hours total for all 7 units.

Books*: Please click here (search for “Lean Unit 1-7 Combined - Participant Manual eBook”), to purchase Lean Participant Manual eBook prior to the course starting date.

Upon successful completion of each unit, participants are entitled to apply for Gold Seal credit (total 39 hours, 6.5 credits), and can apply 7-Unit AGC Certificate of Management – Lean Construction (CM-Lean).