Lean Architecture Excellence in Project Delivery

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.

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.

Foreword ix

Acknowledgments xi

Preface xiii

Introduction xvii

Who is This Book For? xvii

Why Did We Write This Book? xvii

Organization xviii

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 13

Theory of Constraints 13

TRIZ 14

Summary 16

References 17

Chapter 3 The Design Firm’s Problem 19

The Kind of Problem 19

Buildings Are an Organized Complexity 20

Diving Deeper 22

Summary 23

Reference 23

Chapter 4 Lean Architecture 25

3 Goals 26

Productivity and Quality 27

Resolve 31

Challenges 31

Summary 31

References 32

Chapter 5 Learning from Detroit: Influences from Lean Manufacturing 33

Western Manufacturing Compared with Japanese Lean Manufacturing 33

The Design and Construction Industry is Not Mass Production 41

Learning from Detroit 43

Reference 49

Part II Areas of Strategic Focus With Applications 51

Chapter 6 Lean Management for Architects 53

The Game 53

Find the Money 60

Don’t Fight the Chain 63

Choreograph the Work 65

We Really Do Need Each Other 82

Manage Your Money 84

The Costs of Doing Business 94

When Fees No Longer Matter 98

References 102

Chapter 7 Strategic Areas 103

Accelerate Decision-Making 103

Effective Communication 107

Strategic Modeling 111

Targeted Reviews 124

Chapter 8 Streamlining Documentation 135

Working Smarter 135

Impacts from the Adaption of Technology 136

Quantity 140

Managing Variation 152

Leveraging Graphics and Text for Increased Understanding 156

Working in Context 158

Intuitive Sheet Organization 160

Descriptive Titles 160

Collective Processes 160

Prototypical System Sheets 161

Systems Packets 172

Cartoon Sets – Are They Relevant Anymore? 173

The Project Manual 174

Construction Administration 178

Practical Goals for Documentation 179

Part III Implementing Lean 181

Chapter 9 Rethinking Your Firm 183

Change 183

A Recipe for Success 185

Lean in Daily Practice 188

Resistance 189

Reference 196

Implementation 197

Developing Resources 202

Firm A 202

Firm B 203

Firm C 204

Firm D 205

Developing and Sharing Knowledge 206

Developing Tools 215

Importance of Training 223

Summary 223

References 224

Chapter 10 Role of Technology 225

Shifting Paradigms 225

Technology 226

Effective Use of Technology 228

3 GOALS 231

Part IV Final Words and Advice 233

Chapter 11 More Than an Initiative 235

Nonnegotiables 236

Permission to Think Lean and Do the Stuff 237

Appendix 239

Agenda 241

Chapter 09f - Appendix Lean Kickoff 249

Chapter 09g - Appendix Project Review 251

AQ1 253

Index 267

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