Lean Architecture

Excellence in Project Delivery

Czap, Michael F. / Buchanan, Gregory T.

1. Edition May 2021
352 Pages, Hardcover
Wiley & Sons Ltd

ISBN: 978-1-119-68693-4

John Wiley & Sons

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Apply lean principles to your next architectural project and improve your bottom line with the help of this practical volume

Lean Architecture: Excellence in Project Delivery shows readers a path to improve their project delivery via the application of lean concepts and process management. Authors Michael Czap and Gregory Buchanan challenge readers to reexamine their approach to architectural practice and projects by presenting a unique and compelling alternative.

Lean Architecture details the crucial metrics and implementation strategies that combine to improve the efficiency and profitability of projects taken on by firms of all sizes. Readers will learn to:
* Maximize the use of their resources to deliver superior results in less time
* Minimize waste, cost, and inefficiency in their firm's operations
* Move between radically different project scales while retaining efficient and effective processes

Lean Architecture is perfect for firm leaders, project managers, and project architects who seek to improve their ability to deliver better results while reducing their cost base. Students, designers and emerging professionals will also benefit by learning key principles for more effectively executing design ideas.

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 Firm's 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

Don't 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 - 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

MICHAEL F. CZAP, AIA has spent nearly 40-years leading efforts to identify and implement new technologies and cutting-edge project delivery practices with major firms. He coined the term and introduced the concept of Lean Architecture - the "ongoing process of rethinking and improving architectural methodology" by the application of Lean principles to the practice. Michael co-authored the Construction Documents chapter for the AIA's 15th Edition of The Architect's Handbook for Professional Practice and contributed articles to the AIA Best Practices, Chapter 13, and the AIA Practice Management Digest. He has spoken at over 50 industry venues since 2004 on Lean Architecture and advanced project delivery processes, including 6 AIA National Conventions. Michael currently serves as Chair for the BIMForum's 2021 Lean taskforce.

GREGORY T. BUCHANAN, AIA, NCARB, CSI, LEED AP BD+C has spent his nearly thirty-year career endeavoring to advance the practice of architectural delivery through experience and leadership at top-ranked design firms. With advanced degrees in both Architecture and Civil Engineering, his pragmatic approach to problem solving enables him to develop and implement successful strategies and coach excellence in all facets of project delivery. Sharing his passion for process improvement, technology, and project delivery to a broader audience, Greg has presented his methodologies for a Lean Architecture at over a dozen regional and national industry events since 2013. Greg currently serves as Vice Chair for the BIMForum's 2021 Lean taskforce.