Lean-Led Improved Structural Design Process in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Projects
Lean Project Delivery aims to synergize the efforts of stakeholders like client, contractor, designer and operator, with an aim to maximize the value for the facility users, eliminate waste and aspire for culture of respect. EPC project shifts the responsibility of design, which is typically done by the client (with the appointment of designer/s), to the EPC developer / firm. The EPC firm is expected the design a facility keeping in mind not only the requirements set by the client, conditions of satisfaction and user requirements but also cost to bring that design into reality – construction. In this balancing act, the efficient design process takes a center stage and lean principles can aid in this process. There exist a variety of lean tools which can aid the design process in EPC projects and it is important to select an appropriate lean tool in the context of a EPC project and EPC firm. Further, it is important to ensure the application of these lean tools in the spirit of collaboration with the design team and other stakeholders. In this context, this DRP proposal aims to conduct an action research 2 study in an EPC firm for lean led design process with potential application of lean tools like value stream mapping and choosing by advantage.
