7 Deadly Sins/Construction Wastes & How to Avoid Them

The High Cost of Inefficiency in Construction

Are you struggling with project delays, errors, and costly rework? These are common challenges due to the 7 deadly wastes in construction, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

The Lean Design and Construction Solution

Lean construction principles offer a powerful antidote to these problems. By systematically identifying and eliminating waste, lean construction can slash your project timeline by up to 38%, resulting in substantial cost savings and a more sustainable approach.

Tackling 7 Deadly Sins of Waste with Lean Design and Construction

To achieve these benefits, it’s crucial to address the 7 Deadly Sins of Waste that plague many construction projects:

1. Pride (Overproduction):

• The Problem: Stockpiling unneeded materials, creating excessive drawings, and starting tasks prematurely.
• The Impact: More landfill waste, higher resource consumption, and unnecessary expenses.
• The Lean Solution: Precise planning for materials and tasks, to use resources efficiently and minimize waste.

2. Envy (Waiting):

• The Problem: Crews sitting idle due to lack of materials, decisions, or approvals.
• The Impact: Wasted time, increased energy consumption, and frustrated workers.
• The Lean Solution: Optimized workflows, clear communication, and proactive decision-making to keep the project moving smoothly.

3. Wrath (Defects):

• The Problem: Defects that trigger a cascade of wasteful rework.
• The Impact: Wasted materials, increased construction waste, and energy loss due to repeated efforts.
• The Lean Solution: Prioritizing quality control from the outset to reduce errors and the need for costly corrections.

4. Sloth (Non-Value-Adding Activities):

• The Problem: Excessive movement of workers, equipment, or machinery.
• The Impact: Wasted time, higher fuel consumption, and increased emissions.
• The Lean Solution: Streamlined workflows, strategic resource placement, and just-in-time delivery to minimize unnecessary movement.

5. Gluttony (Overprocessing & Inventory Waste):

• The Problem: Hoarding materials and performing overly complex tasks.
• The Impact: Wasted space, potential for pollution from stored materials, and inflated costs.
• The Lean Solution: Just-in-time deliveries to minimize waste and storage needs and simplify processes wherever possible.

6. Avarice (All of the Above):

• The Problem: Allowing the accumulation of waste to drain your project’s budget.
• The Lean Solution: A comprehensive approach to waste elimination that saves money on materials, labor, and rework, while  reducing environmental impact.

7. Ignorance (Not Embracing Lean):

• The Problem: Failing to adopt lean design and construction principles.
• The Lean Solution: Partnering with experts who understand lean principles to drive efficiency, collaboration, and innovation throughout your project.

Note that technically there are, in fact, 8 wastes. Lean Construction Institute cites “Unused Creativity of Team Members” as the 8th waste, which it is, indicating “If input isn’t respected through poorly utilized talent, creative solutions to complex problems are unable to present themselves. Collaboration is key.

The Rewards of Lean Design and Construction

By identifying and eliminating these forms of waste, lean construction unlocks a multitude of benefits:

• Faster project completion: Get your project to market or into use sooner.
• Cost savings: Reduce expenses on materials, labor, and rework.
• Sustainability: Minimize your project’s environmental footprint.
• Improved quality: Focus on getting it right the first time.
• Increased worker morale: Empower your team with efficient processes.

Ready to Transform Your Project?

Let’s discuss how lean construction can optimize your processes and deliver exceptional results. Contact us today to learn more about how our expertise can help you achieve your project goals.