The roots of the Last Planner® System reach back to a time before the word “lean” was coined to describe the success of the Toyota Production System. The Last Planner begins with the recognition that improving weekly planning performance across the entire project team was a necessary step toward improving overall schedule performance and productivity. As elements of the Last Planner were implemented further improvement needs became evident, and elements such as make-ready work and phase planning were added. A dynamic system for planning, action, and learning, the Last Planner continues to evolve as a fundamental framework for structuring productive conversations about project work.
This webinar provides a brief introduction of the Last Planner and then explores the history of its invention and development. It includes the stories about how Glenn Ballard, Greg Howell, and influences from other people developed the Last Planner, not into simply a lean tool, but more so the foundation for a new theory of project management consistent with lean principles.
In addition to describing the history of the Last Planner, this webinar will also explain why certain practices were integrated into the system, and why it must be applied as a system. Understanding the thinking that went into the Last Planner will enhance your application of it with your project teams.
Bio:
Tom Richert - Lean Project Consulting
Tom Richert is a principal with Lean Project Consulting, Inc. where he coaches lean transformations at the project team and enterprise-level, primarily for owners, architects, contractors, and suppliers in the building design and construction industry. His approach employs a combination of team-based training with hands-on simulations followed by on-the-job observation and coaching, often on a one-on-one basis. His current focus is on helping leadership and project teams develop lean practices that align with their shared identities and core purposes. This alignment is fundamental to cultivating the mood of ambition necessary to maintain the rigor lean practices require.
Tom began learning the Last Planner ® System in 1999 in workshops led by Glenn Ballard and Greg Howell. His project work with lean principles began in 2000 while working at the Linbeck Group. He was responsible for leading the implementation of lean practices on two New England projects in 2001 and co-designed and delivered companywide lean training workshops. His undergraduate degree in architecture is from Washington University.
Earn AGC-CM Lean Continuation Education Credits
AGC recognizes this webinar as quality Lean Construction content and it qualifies for 1.5 hours of AGC CE credit. All attendees can forward the receipt of the webinar to AGC and have the webinar count towards renewing their CM-Lean certificate.
