The research

This research area is investigated by the School of Civil and Building Engineering at Loughborough University. The set of projects is carried out by members of the research group, who are looking on different aspects of Lean theory as applied to the construction industry.

About Lean

Lean theory is a powerful concept challenging traditional business practices. We define lean construction as "a philosophy for working based on continuous delivering of better value to customers whilst increasing business profitability and competitiveness".

Initially developed within the car manufacturing industry Lean thinking penetrated to other manufacturing sectors and such approaches have become embedded into every day processes. Today Lean principles and tools are being adapted beyond manufacturing, to services, government sectors, logistics, healthcare and construction. According to the Egan report (1998) Lean thinking offers an antidote to many of the industry's problems and already proved there its successfulness in a large number of individual construction projects.

Despite international academic effort to adapt and develop Lean theory within the construction industry, uptake globally has to date, only been piecemeal – with only pockets of activity in Denmark, USA, Chile, Brazil, Australia and the UK. Although Lean Construction theory is maturing, it still leaves a vast open field that requires investigation. Our research community in Loughborough University carries out research to further develop the Lean theory within the construction industry and enable successful stories to spread beyond the specific projects and turn into the common practice in the sector.