Lean Construction

Brian Beneke - Pull Planning

The original concept of pull planning is really based on the construction scheduling principle of reverse planning. In simple terms, this means starting at an end point and working backwards to understand what has to happen in order to get to the end point.

From here, the schedule is supposed to “pull” the teams to completion. The key to the implementation involves using various colored “Post-it notes” with each color relating to a trade specialty. Then, each trade works through their steps backwards writing down the major tasks they have as part of that completion.

The O’Shea team recently completed a pull plan for “building dry-in” involving all trades, such as the roofing contractor, drywall contractor, plumbing and HVAC contractors, masonry contractor, and O’Shea. After each trade wrote down the necessary steps, O’Shea facilitated the process further by placing the notes on a timeline showing the interaction between the trades. While conceptually quite simple, we have found that the following components are extremely helpful to the team:

All trades get to sit in the construction manager’s position and understand that their work is intertwined with everyone else’s.

Critical path assumptions from the schedule can be either modified or reinforced.

Specific difficult construction details get identified and if possible worked out as part of the meeting and if not identified for a future meeting for quick resolution.

Everyone gets input, and there is development of a team attitude and a sense of accountability that will carry beyond the planning session.

It makes the project schedule “real” in the minds of the various jobsite foremen.

Dan Sullivan - BIM Coordination/Clash Detection

Over the past few years, BIM and clash detection have been the “talk of the town” in the AEC industry. There are misconceptions about BIM and clash detection with many experts thinking these resources are merely just a technology. In reality, both BIM and clash detection serve unique roles during construction. 

BIM – Building Information Model (BIM) is a 3-D representation of a facility using intelligent software that uses parametric information to create digital descriptions for every aspect of the physical project. By implementing BIM coordination at TMH, we were able to use the building information models to communicate/refine the design and plan and optimize the construction efforts before physical construction even started. This process helps eliminate inefficiencies and problems that arise during construction.

Clash detection – a process that uses the BIM models to identify spatial conflicts between specialty systems.

When we used clash detection at TMH, our coordination goals were to define spatial relationships between all systems in a designated area to allow for conflict-free construction operations. Each MEP company/discipline was responsible for their own model at TMH. Once all the models were received, everyone was able to see clear details of the project and where each discipline could potentially “clash” or intersect. By running this process with the MEP contractors, we can avoid unforeseen costly mistakes/site modifications and offer greater predictability. Following the coordination, the final models are accessible using iPads in the field, and all the systems are color coded for readability.