Takt Production: New Advance in Construction Site Management
Organisers: Innovative Design Lab of the University of Huddersfield in collaboration with the Northwest CoP of the Lean Construction Institute UK
Takt production
After a long dominance of the Critical Path Method (CPM), the methods for construction site planning and management have started to develop and change. In advanced practice, the Last Planner System (LPS) of Production Control (also called collaborative planning) together with location-based methods have more or less replaced the CPM. However, a new stage has been reached: Takt production, well known from lean manufacturing, has been adapted to construction. While being supported by many well-known principles of the location-based methods and the LPS, a new principle is added in Takt production: instead of time buffers between subsequent tasks, capacity buffers are primarily used for absorbing the inevitable uncertainty, leading to shortened project duration.
The use of Takt production has rapidly increased in a few years, but due to its novelty, its diffusion is still limited to pioneering contractors, especially in Germany, California and Finland. Practical implementation of Takt production has produced superior results, especially when the stakeholders have become experienced with the method.
Structure of the Webinar
After a presentation on theory, practice, implementation issues and benefits of Takt production, the attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions and to take part in an open discussion with the presenter and other attendees. Professor Lauri Koskela from the University of Huddersfield will chair the webinar.
Questions to be discussed:
- What are the basic ideas of Takt production, and how is it different to prior methods
- Does Takt production work in practice – which are the implementation challenges
- Which are the benefits of Takt production?
- Does Takt production lead to increase of risks? Are there other drawbacks?
- Are all kind of sites suitable for Takt production?
Who should attend?
Construction site managers and planners, contractors’ innovation managers, academics and students of construction management are all encouraged to attend.
Professor Olli Seppänen
Aalto University, Finland
Dr. Olli Seppänen is currently working as a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Finland. His research interests include Operations Management in Construction. He serves as an editorial member and reviewer of several international journals. Dr. Olli Seppänen is the member of many international associations and networks. He has authored many research articles and books related to Operations Management in Construction. Before his academic career, he was involved in, and leading commercial software development for site planning (known currently as Vico Office). Olli is leading one of Europe’s leading research groups in construction management. The group is involved in a major research programme “Building 2030”, realised in close collaboration with industrial partners. More information on this programme, which covers also Takt production, here: https://www.aalto.fi/en/building-2030