Leaning to lean for resource management

Resource management in construction projects has many difficulties. Realizing the importance of resource value, identifying the resource value streamline and continuous flow, and adopting the “pull” approach along with perfection can overcome certain difficulties. A better understanding of lean principles through the thought processes and decision making can yield benefit realisation with production capabilities in project environments. This research is aimed at capturing the practitioner perceptions on enabling resource management practices through fundamental lean principles: value, value stream, flow, pull, and perfection. A questionnaire survey was conducted in India. In this survey, information and space have been found to be essential to ensure the performance of critical factors for direct and supportive works. Information and space resources can influence other resources. About one-third of the respondents mentioned that information influences cycle time, lead time, changes, take time, and work in process. The look-ahead plan focuses on eliminating resource constraints to smooth workflow. Root causes derived from raising questions and iterative plan-do-check-act cycle enable continuous improvement process. Lean thinking in resource management can support the effective and efficient use of resources in construction projects.