Bring Attention to Key Performance Criteria with Andons

by Hal on August 4, 2006

in IGLC, Last Planner, lean

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Precast productivity in one construction setting already was improved from 28 man-hours/cubic meter to 21 man-hours/cubic meter due to prior improvement initiatives. But the plant suffered from product variation. The LPS was introduced to address it.

Stabilization and Standardization of a Precast Production Process

Carlos Antonio Samaniego Gallardo, et al

Carlos started by introducing a Production Status Andon1. They started with a blackboard in the production area. The workers developed the approach further and in three weeks had a more sophisticated approach. They were investigating in an empirical way what process steps provided a rhythm to the process. The Last Planner® was introduced to bring reliability to the process.

Stabilize production activities with andons.

PPC improved from 25% to 75% in about three months. During the same time productivity was further improved to 16 man-hours/cubic meter. They attribute their results to:

  • Adopting an analysis-implementation-evaluation cycle that also increased participation
  • Adopting basic lean approaches including standardized work and value stream mapping
  • Bringing organization with a daily task schedule

Fabrication operations offer great potential for adopting lean approaches. As key parts of the supply chain on construction projects getting lean upstream can have some downstream positive outcomes from higher quality and reliability of completions.


  1. Andon is the Japanese word for "signal" or to bring attention to something. Andons are used to alert others to come for help. [ ⇑ back ]

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