2019Case6KirbyGroupEngineering

30 L EAN C ONSTRUCTION I RELAND A NNUAL B OOK OF C ASES 2019 Figure 3. Kirby Senior Management QEHS Senior Tour (Gemba Walk) Register 2017 Figure 4. Sample of a completed QEHS Senior Tour (Gemba Walk) Form LEAN INITIATIVE IMPROVEMENTS & IMPACT The improvements seen through the Gemba walk process are clearly shown through Kirby’s continued growth within the construction industry. As part of our Q-Mark assessment in 2018, we scored 192 out of a possible 200 points for Leadership; and we continue to score highly within ISO 9001:2015 audits for Leadership. We are able to show through these project walks that Kirby Senior Management aspires to have Kirby be the most trusted provider of high- value engineering and construction services. There has been an increase in focus for adding value to clients. In a Gemba walk in Co. Kerry with an Associate Director, our client and end client were also invited to take part in the Gemba walk. They found the exper ience invaluable and are now promoting the practice within their own organisations. This is not an isolated case and we have found such collaboration to be a fundamental prerequisite of this practice. From the site point of view, and collaborating with the site staff, we have found a multitude of positives, including: • A clean/safe workplace. • Positive, inclusive culture. • High Employee engagement – high morale. • Reductions in over-processing. • Takt time improvements. • Right first-time mentality. • Positive Lean Thinking. Figure 5. PDCA Cycle of Continuous Improvement As part of our continuous improvement mind-set, though applying the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach, we are now analysing the data gathered and findings raised during these Gemba walks completed over the past two-and-a-half years, to further realise benefits from this where value is being created on our projects. We are gaining new data and a fresh perspective, in Lean thinking, as we strive towards operational excel lence on our projects. Value flows horizontally across our organisation to our customers. It is these Gemba walks which help our senior managers see and reconci le the hor izontal wi th the ver t ical communication and feedback loops provided so as to realise further benefits and opportunities. This helps further embed Lean Construction as a part of our values in improving our deliver and value add, for our clients and stakeholders.