LCiGlossaryofTermsandConcepts

Lean Construction Ireland (LCi) Page 2 of 11 A3 – This is a one-page report prepared on a single sheet of paper that adheres to the discipline of PDCA thinking as applied to collaborative problem solving, strategy development, or reporting. The A3 is based on the Toyota 8-Step Problem Solving Method, and includes the background, problem statement, analysis, proposed countermeasures and actions, and the expected results. Activity – An identifiable chunk of work with recognised prerequisite requirements to begin, plus a recognised state of completion or condition of satisfaction. Another way to look at an activity is to establish the hand-offs for each chunk of work, thus defining the activity. Agile – Originating in software development, “Agile” is the method of project management characterised by the division of tasks into short phases of work and frequent reassessment and adaptation of plans. It is an iterative approach to project management and software development that helps teams deliver value to their customers faster and with fewer headaches. Instead of betting everything on a "big bang" launch, an agile team delivers work in small, but consumable, increments. Requirements, plans, and results are evaluated continuously so teams have a natural mechanism for responding to change quickly. Agility – This refers to supply chains and their management, and essentially means “readiness to change”. From a business perspective, agility is defined as a strategy that is more responsive in a volatile marketplace, where this strategy is totally demand driven and the whole supply chain management changes as consumer buying patterns change at a very rapid pace. The fundamental drivers of agile supply chain are Speed, Cost, and Efficiency, and agile supply chains are based on the sensitivity to consumer demand, with sensitivity referring to the ultimate consumer demand in terms of the volatility of that demand. Agile supply chain framework is based on four major constituents: (i) Virtual Integration; (ii) Process Alignment; (iii) Network-Based; and (iv) Market Sensitive. Assignment – A request or offer that has resulted in a reliable promise and is ready to be placed on the weekly work plan for performance. An assignment must meet the characteristics for a quality assignment prior to inclusion on the weekly work plan. Buffer – A mechanism for deadening the force of reality unfolding in a manner that is contrary to what was anticipated in the plan. For example, a capacity buffer is created by committing to complete less work than what would be achieved according to the planned capacity of the resource. If production falls behind schedule, there is capacity available for catching up. Lean production/construction generally prefers capacity buffers to inventory buffers. Building Information Modelling (BIM) – The process of generating and managing building data during the life cycle of a building. BIM uses three-dimensional (3D), real-time, dynamic building modelling software. BIM includes building geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, and quantities and properties of building components. BIM can include four-dimensional (4D) simulations to see how part or all of the facility is intended to be built and 5D capability for model-based estimating. BIM provides the platform for simultaneous conversations related to the design of the "product" and its delivery process. Capacity – The amount of work that can be produced by an individual, specialist, or work group in a given period of time. Choosing By Advantages (CBA) – This is a tested, effective, and sound decision-making system developed by Jim Suhr (1999) for determining the best decision by looking at the advantages of each option. CBA has five phases of decision-making: (1) Stage-setting: establish the purpose and context for the decision; (2) Innovation: formulate an adequate set of alternatives; (3) Decision-making: choose the alternative with the greatest total importance of advantages; (4) Reconsideration: change the decision if it should be changed or improved on; (5) Implementation: make the decision happen, adjust as needed, and evaluate the process and results. Commitment-Based Planning – A planning system that is based on making and securing reliable promises in a team setting. Conditions of Satisfaction (CoS) – An explicit description by a customer of all the actual requirements that must be satisfied by the performer in order for the customer to feel that they received exactly what was wanted.

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