Lean Construction Fundamentals

Lean Construction can cut costs by up to 50%. So why isn’t everyone doing it?

Lean Construction is more than a methodology — it’s a discipline inspired by Lean manufacturing, originally articulated by Toyota’s Taiichi Ohno and others. Lean Construction is a paradigm shift that adapts lean manufacturing principles, practices, and thinking to a project-based production process. Objectives include eliminating waste while maximizing value to the customer and reducing variability through increasing plan reliability. Underpinning themes include learning and continuous improvement, respect for people, and value creation while eliminating waste. Lean Construction has evolved substantially since first experimenting with the adaptation of Lean principles to construction project delivery in the early 1990s. Lean Construction is now practiced throughout the entire world with its own lexicon and well-defined Body of Knowledge (BOK).

Why This Course Matters
The application of Lean Construction principles and practices yields numerous benefits beyond waste reduction, improved efficiency, and enhanced collaboration among project stakeholders. A Dodge Construction Network report found that 84% of contractors using Lean methodologies reported higher quality construction, 77% noted greater construction productivity, and 80% reported improved customer satisfaction from delivering maximum value while eliminating waste. Lean Construction Management (LCM) can cut costs by up to 50% in some cases compared to traditional construction. The Lean paradigm challenges conventional wisdom about how projects are defined, scheduled, executed, and controlled — promising to deliver projects at lower cost, in less time, at a high level of quality and client satisfaction.

A Fundamentals Course, By Design
This is a one-day, 8-hour introduction — not a deep dive. Lean Construction has its own well-established Body of Knowledge, and a single day can’t cover it all. This course is designed to introduce the core “Lean” concepts, compare and contrast them with contemporary project management and delivery systems, and give you a foundation to start building on. Think of it as your on-ramp to Lean Construction, not the destination.

What You’ll Learn

• A broad-brush introduction to Lean production theory, principles, and practices for construction management practitioners
• Findings from research on the implementation and outcomes of Lean principles and practices
• How Lean compares to traditional and contemporary project production and control systems
• The start of your Lean knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) through intentional learning

Who Should Attend

• Mid-level to senior managers
• Foremen through company SVPs — Lean applies at every level
• Construction professionals looking to learn current industry best practices
• Anyone curious about Lean Construction who wants a real introduction before going deeper

What’s In It For You

• Quickly identify and eliminate waste on your projects
• Build a “process” focus into how you approach work
• Walk away with practical skills you can apply immediately, on the job and beyond
• Gain practical tools and methodologies that enhance project delivery
• Strengthen collaboration among stakeholders
• Lay the foundation for Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)
• Get a starting point for your organization’s — or your own — Lean journey

Ready to Start Your Lean Journey?
You don’t need to overhaul your whole operation to benefit from Lean thinking. Spend one day building the foundation, then decide where you want to take it.

Course Format & Logistics

• Length: 8 contact hours (one-day course)
• Date: October 30, 2026
• Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Location: ABC Allentown Office – 894 Marcon Blvd. Allentown, PA 18109

This course is a starting point, not a finish line. The demand you create here determines how far we take Lean Construction next.

Bob Muir, PhD, PE
Construction Analysts, LLC

Bob Muir brings more than 33 years of construction and engineering experience and 18 years of full-time academia to the classroom, including senior faculty roles at Auburn University, Virginia Tech, and Drexel University. A licensed Professional Engineer, he’s managed heavy civil and infrastructure projects from both the owner’s and contractor’s side of the table, including major bridge replacements and multiple incentive-based highway contracts. He’s no stranger to ABC Eastern PA — he taught for the chapter back in 2007 and has trained construction professionals in leadership, project management, and claims resolution ever since. He’s also a principal with Construction Analysts, LLC, providing expert claims and dispute resolution services. Whatever he teaches, Bob keeps it practical and immediately useful for the jobsite.