Examining the Suitability of Lean Tools to the Construction Industry in UAE

Abstract

Lean construction has been capturing the attention of construction practitioners seeking to improve performance at company, project and process levels. With a variety of principles, tools and techniques, Lean construction now has a rich record of successful implementations that positively impacted construction companies and projects. In the UAE, the adoption of Lean construction has started but is progressing with a slow pace. Previous research addressing the implementation of Lean construction in the UAE has addressed different aspects such as exploring barriers to implementation and examining potential impacts. This research takes a step further to bring companies closer to the practical adoption of lean construction. This research examines the characteristics of construction projects in the UAE and analyzes the capabilities of common Lean tools. Through matching the analysis of Lean tools capabilities with characteristics of the local construction market, this research concludes with recommending and discussing a shortlist of tools to be implemented by companies seeking to start adopting Lean construction into their companies and projects. The results of this research contribute to bridging the gap between lean awareness and the actual adoption of Lean in daily operations in companies and projects in the UAE.