The Last Planner System is an important tool to help get construction projects completed on time and on budget. It is a system of planning, organizing, scheduling, and controlling activities in building projects, ensuring that all parties involved meet their deadlines and deliver the desired outcomes. Learn more about the Last Planner System in this guide.

What is the Last Planner System?

The Last Planner System is a project management method that was developed by the Lean Construction Institute (LCI) as part of its efforts to promote lean thinking in the construction industry. The Last Planner System is based on the idea that uncertainty and variability are the main drivers of waste and inefficiency in construction projects, and that by reducing these factors, project teams can improve their ability to deliver projects on time and on budget.

The Last Planner System focuses on planning and coordinating work at the smallest possible increment, typically one week, in order to optimize the use of resources and reduce uncertainty. This is done through a series of meetings, called "look-ahead" meetings, in which the project team discusses and plans the work for the upcoming week.

The Last Planner System also involves the use of visual controls, such as boards or cards, to track the progress of work and identify any issues or bottlenecks that need to be addressed. Additionally, the Last Planner System encourages the use of collaboration and continuous improvement techniques, such as "lessons learned" meetings, to identify and address problems as they arise.

Overall, the Last Planner System is designed to help project teams deliver projects with greater efficiency and effectiveness, by reducing uncertainty and waste, and by focusing on the work that needs to be done at the smallest possible increment. It is a key part of the lean construction approach, and has been widely adopted by construction companies around the world.

What Are the Benefits of Using the Last Planner System?

The Last Planner System is a powerful tool for improving project efficiency and effectiveness, and has been shown to deliver a number of benefits in construction projects. Some of the key benefits of using the Last Planner System include:

Improved project coordination: The Last Planner System helps project teams coordinate their work at the smallest possible increment, which reduces uncertainty and helps to ensure that the project stays on track.
Increased efficiency: By focusing on the work that needs to be done at the smallest possible increment, the Last Planner System helps project teams optimize the use of their resources and minimize waste.
Reduced variability: The Last Planner System helps project teams identify and address sources of variability in their work processes, which helps to reduce rework and improve overall project quality.
Enhanced communication: The Last Planner System encourages regular communication and collaboration among project team members, which helps to improve understanding and build trust among team members.
Improved project visibility: The use of visual controls, such as boards or cards, helps project teams to track the progress of work and identify issues or bottlenecks as they arise, which helps to improve project visibility and facilitate decision-making.

Overall, the Last Planner System is a powerful tool for improving project efficiency and effectiveness, and has been widely adopted by construction companies around the world.

Agile Board in construction

How Does the Last Planner System Work?

The Last Planner System is a project management method that focuses on planning and coordinating work at the smallest possible increment, typically one week, in order to optimize the use of resources and reduce uncertainty. It involves a series of meetings and visual controls to help project teams track and manage the progress of work.

Here is an overview of how the Last Planner System works:

Look-ahead planning: At the beginning of each week, the project team holds a "look-ahead" meeting to plan the work for the upcoming week. During this meeting, the team identifies the tasks that need to be completed, assigns resources to those tasks, and establishes dependencies between tasks.
Commitment-based planning: After the look-ahead meeting, team members commit to completing the tasks that have been assigned to them during the upcoming week. This helps to ensure that the work is properly coordinated and that the project stays on track.
Visual controls: The Last Planner System involves the use of visual controls, such as boards or cards, to track the progress of work and identify any issues or bottlenecks that need to be addressed. These controls help project teams to quickly see the status of tasks and make informed decisions about how to proceed.
Continuous improvement: The Last Planner System encourages the use of continuous improvement techniques, such as "lessons learned" meetings, to identify and address problems as they arise. By regularly reviewing and improving their processes, project teams can increase efficiency and reduce waste.

Overall, the Last Planner System is designed to help project teams deliver projects with greater efficiency and effectiveness, by reducing uncertainty and waste, and by focusing on the work that needs to be done at the smallest possible increment. It is a key part of the lean construction approach, and has been widely adopted by construction companies around the world.

Last planner system board

The structure of a Last Planner System board can vary depending on the specific needs and goals of a project. However, there are some common elements that are typically included in a Last Planner System board. Here is an overview of some of the elements that might be included in a Last Planner System board:

Columns: The board is typically divided into columns that represent different stages or phases of the project. For example, there might be columns for design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
Rows: The board is typically divided into rows that represent different tasks or activities that need to be completed. Each row typically includes information about the task, such as its name, owner, and status.
Cards: Each task or activity is represented by a card, which is placed in the appropriate column and row on the board. The card typically includes information about the task, such as its name, owner, and status.
Status indicators: The board typically includes visual indicators, such as colors or symbols, to show the status of each task. For example, a green indicator might indicate that a task is on schedule, while a red indicator might indicate that it is behind schedule.
Timeline: The board typically includes a timeline that shows when each task is scheduled to be completed. This helps the project team understand the dependencies between tasks and identify any bottlenecks that might impact progress.

Overall, the structure of a Last Planner System board is designed to help project teams track the progress of work, identify issues or bottlenecks, and make informed decisions about how to proceed. It is a powerful tool for improving project efficiency and effectiveness, and is widely used in the construction industry.

In conclusion

The Last Planner System is a project management method that aims to optimize the use of resources and reduce uncertainty in construction projects. It involves planning and coordinating work at the smallest possible increment, typically one week, and using visual controls and continuous improvement techniques to track and manage progress. The Last Planner System has been shown to deliver a number of benefits, including improved project coordination, increased efficiency, reduced variability, enhanced communication, and improved project visibility. It is a key part of the lean construction approach, and has been widely adopted by construction companies around the world.

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