Development of Lean Approaching Sustainability Tools (LAST) Matrix for Achieving Integrated Lean and Sustainable Construction

Main Article Content

Mughees Aslam
Zhili Gao
Gary Smith

Abstract

Challenges exist across the three dimensions of construction sustainability (economic; social and environmental) due to low productivity, waste, safety, and environmental hazards attributed to existing construction management practices.  Lean construction (LC) has been widely accepted as a robust philosophy to enable sustainable construction (SC) practices. However, the existing literature is more inclined toward defining the integration between LC and sustainability through LC practices and techniques. Little research tackles the challenges of achieving sustainable goals within the current practices. Therefore, this paper aims to present a strategy that can help the construction industry overcome the challenges of SC in the traditional construction management practice by using LC. The challenges of SC are identified through a systematic literature review approach with metadata analysis. Compared with LC principles, tools and techniques, the strategy focused on identifying (1) the power and potential of LC principles and (2) the best LC practices/techniques that help in overcoming these SC challenges. The study results showed 20 out of 32 challenges identified can be overcome by using LC integrated with SC. Finally, a Lean Approaching Sustainability Tools (LAST) matrix is developed to provide guidelines to the construction stakeholders for the selection of LC practices/tools/techniques in overcoming the top 15 most important challenges.

Article Details

How to Cite
Aslam, M., Gao, Z., & Smith, G. (2021). Development of Lean Approaching Sustainability Tools (LAST) Matrix for Achieving Integrated Lean and Sustainable Construction . Construction Economics and Building, 21(3). https://doi.org/10.5130/AJCEB.v21i3.7653
Section
Special Issue on Lean and Sustainable Construction: State of the Art and Future
Author Biographies

Mughees Aslam, North Dakota State University

Ph.D. Student, Department of Construction Management & Engineering, 202 Engineering Building, 1315 Centennial Blvd, Dept 2475, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108

Zhili Gao, North Dakota State University

Associate Professor, Department of Construction Management & Engineering, 126 Engineering Building, 1315 Centennial Blvd, Dept 2475, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108

Gary Smith, North Dakota State University

Professor Emeritus, Department of Construction Management & Engineering, Fargo, ND 58108