Glenn Ballard | University of California, Berkeley (original) (raw)

Papers by Glenn Ballard

ABSTRACT Fabrication is a vital part of the extended production system for a construction project... more ABSTRACT Fabrication is a vital part of the extended production system for a construction project. As shop fabrication is a type of manufacturing and 'lean thinking'arose in manufacturing, use of lean concepts and techniques in the management of fabrication processes would seem to be a natural and beneficial application. Fabrication can be divided into pre-manufacturing, manufacturing, and postmanufacturing.

Abstract Research Question: The Last Planner System (LPS) and Location-Based Management System (L... more Abstract Research Question: The Last Planner System (LPS) and Location-Based Management System (LBMS) both aim to achieve the lean goals of decreasing waste, increasing productivity and decreasing variability. Q1: How to best link these two systems together to achieve better project performance? Q2: can the LBMS control mechanisms be integrated with LPS? Q3: Can phase pull scheduling be integrated with LBMS?

ABSTRACT This paper presents current supply chain configurations for concrete reinforcement steel... more ABSTRACT This paper presents current supply chain configurations for concrete reinforcement steel (rebar) in the Turkish construction industry. The supply chains were assessed by the value stream mapping method and were investigated through visits to firms involved in the supply chain and interviews with practitioners. Five different types of rebar supply chain configurations were identified in the case studies.

The iterative and information-intensive nature of the design process makes it hard to plan and sc... more The iterative and information-intensive nature of the design process makes it hard to plan and schedule work using tools for conventional project management. The success of design projects depends on the quality of the available information. This paper proposes DePlan as a method for integrated design management during the detail design phase. DePlan integrates two techniques, namely, Analytical Design Planning Technique (ADePT) and planning according to Last Planner���, each involving a software tool.

Lauri Koskela (1992) identified the first task for academics 'is to explain the new philosophy in... more Lauri Koskela (1992) identified the first task for academics 'is to explain the new philosophy in the context of construction'and this is first objective here. The second is to provide a foundation to understand the contributions of Glenn Ballard which follow. The chapter first discusses changes in the construction industry to suggest why a new (or for that matter any) production theory is required. The extent of the uncertainty experienced on projects leads to yet another comparison between manufacturing and construction.

ABSTRACT Two opposing objectives drive construction project budgets. Budgets are driven higher by... more ABSTRACT Two opposing objectives drive construction project budgets. Budgets are driven higher by the objective of providing sufficient funds to achieve project goals in conditions of uncertainty, and driven lower by the objective of spending no more than necessary to accomplish project goals. These two risks, running out of money and leaving money on the table, are in tension and finding the balance point between them is a challenge not always met���some might say 'infrequently met'. Projects can and do fail both ways.

ABSTRACT Waste has been considered to be a major problem in the construction industry. Not only d... more ABSTRACT Waste has been considered to be a major problem in the construction industry. Not only does waste have an impact on the efficiency of the construction industry but also on the overall state of the economy of the country. Contractor firms have begun to seek ways of increasing their competitive advantage in global markets by removing all kinds of waste inherent in the construction process by means of implementation of lean construction techniques.

A project delivery process simulation is presented based upon empirical studies in the design���b... more A project delivery process simulation is presented based upon empirical studies in the design���build environment of semiconductor fabrication facilities ('fabs'). The model captures key tasks and decisions in design, procurement and construction, as well as design criteria changes along the delivery of a R&D fab utility system.

ABSTRACT Stuart Green proposes that researchers have ignored the ���Dark Side��� of lean construc... more ABSTRACT Stuart Green proposes that researchers have ignored the ���Dark Side��� of lean construction, taking for granted it is a good thing. He charges that these academics are ignoring the debate about the transferability of Japanese automobile manufacturing to other settings, and that lean leads to the repression of trade unions and to regressive human resource management.

ABSTRACT A database program called WorkPlan has been created to systematically develop weekly wor... more ABSTRACT A database program called WorkPlan has been created to systematically develop weekly work plans. WorkPlan adopts the Last Planner methodology, which implements several lean construction techniques.

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the use of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) for make-to-order products... more ABSTRACT This paper investigates the use of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) for make-to-order products in a job shop environment, specifically the fabrication of Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) sheet metal ductwork. The use of VSM for analyzing the production of repetitive units has proven to be successful in different industries.

Abstract Specialty contractors have knowledge to contribute to the early design of architecture, ... more Abstract Specialty contractors have knowledge to contribute to the early design of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) products. In current practice, however, they are seldom involved in early design, but evidence suggests that their early involvement is increasing. Lean construction theory advocates such involvement. The practice of involving suppliers in product development efforts and manufacturing has proven to be highly successful.

ABSTRACT Construction projects become complicated and fragmented so that many specialty contracto... more ABSTRACT Construction projects become complicated and fragmented so that many specialty contractors are involved. In such changed environments, a general contractor's overhead costs are increasing comparable to direct costs. In addition to an increase of volume, activities consisting of overhead costs play an important role in coordinating different participants who include different specialty contractors and client.

Target costing in the construction industry is the practice of constraining design and constructi... more Target costing in the construction industry is the practice of constraining design and construction of a capital facility to a maximum cost. It is an appropriate practice for all clients with financial constraints (maximum available funds or minimum ROI requirements) that a capital facility project must meet in order to be considered successful by that client.

ABSTRACT: With the advancement of information technology and increased market competition, constr... more ABSTRACT: With the advancement of information technology and increased market competition, construction companies are driven to employ supply chain management strategies to seek competitive advantage. Managing logistics is one component at the core of such strategies. An effective logistics system ensures delivery of the right products and services to the right customers at the right time while minimizing costs and rewarding all participants based on value added to the supply chain.

ABSTRACT Past research has found many drawbacks in the conventional approaches to managing projec... more ABSTRACT Past research has found many drawbacks in the conventional approaches to managing projects. Among the criticisms is the traditional understanding of value generation primarily focused on product creation, while the industry struggles to meet the expectations of different groups of stakeholders about the benefits that these projects are supposed to generate. In the pursuit of projects as means to achieve agreed goals and the fulfilment of a purpose, alternative approaches have been suggested.

ABSTRACT Better design decision management is possible through the use of lean production plannin... more ABSTRACT Better design decision management is possible through the use of lean production planning and control techniques, group decision-making, and knowledge management tools. Central to the success of these tools is the capture and timely management of the design rationale underlying design decisions. This research views design as a collaborative decision-making process, and highlights the need for supporting group technologies.

A very substantial body of empirical and theoretical literature now exists which purports to show... more A very substantial body of empirical and theoretical literature now exists which purports to show that the explanation of long-term contracts by means of the classical law of contract is most problematic. The classical law, and its economic corollary in relatively unsophisticated forms of neo-classical economics, assume contractual promises to be the legal expression of the intentions of rational, utility maximising individuals making discrete exchanges in perfectly competitive markets.

ABSTRACT This paper presents a theory of workplace planning and a steering model to support the m... more ABSTRACT This paper presents a theory of workplace planning and a steering model to support the management of the facility planning process. The theory links workplace planning to production, not only to construction production, but also to the organization's general strategy. A spatial investment in an operation competes for the same resources as the other investments in the operations. Spaces are the scene of a temporal flow of operations and nonuse time.

ABSTRACT Target value design (TVD) is a management method for integrated project delivery (IPD) t... more ABSTRACT Target value design (TVD) is a management method for integrated project delivery (IPD) through the collaborative efforts among different stakeholders. This study uses game theory to explain how TVD fundamentally enables each stakeholder to collaborate on initial design alignment. According to the prisoner's dilemma, two people locked in separate jail cells tend not to cooperate even if their cooperation could bring maximum benefits to both of them because each one suspects the possibility of being betrayed by the other.

ABSTRACT Fabrication is a vital part of the extended production system for a construction project... more ABSTRACT Fabrication is a vital part of the extended production system for a construction project. As shop fabrication is a type of manufacturing and 'lean thinking'arose in manufacturing, use of lean concepts and techniques in the management of fabrication processes would seem to be a natural and beneficial application. Fabrication can be divided into pre-manufacturing, manufacturing, and postmanufacturing.

Abstract Research Question: The Last Planner System (LPS) and Location-Based Management System (L... more Abstract Research Question: The Last Planner System (LPS) and Location-Based Management System (LBMS) both aim to achieve the lean goals of decreasing waste, increasing productivity and decreasing variability. Q1: How to best link these two systems together to achieve better project performance? Q2: can the LBMS control mechanisms be integrated with LPS? Q3: Can phase pull scheduling be integrated with LBMS?

ABSTRACT This paper presents current supply chain configurations for concrete reinforcement steel... more ABSTRACT This paper presents current supply chain configurations for concrete reinforcement steel (rebar) in the Turkish construction industry. The supply chains were assessed by the value stream mapping method and were investigated through visits to firms involved in the supply chain and interviews with practitioners. Five different types of rebar supply chain configurations were identified in the case studies.

The iterative and information-intensive nature of the design process makes it hard to plan and sc... more The iterative and information-intensive nature of the design process makes it hard to plan and schedule work using tools for conventional project management. The success of design projects depends on the quality of the available information. This paper proposes DePlan as a method for integrated design management during the detail design phase. DePlan integrates two techniques, namely, Analytical Design Planning Technique (ADePT) and planning according to Last Planner���, each involving a software tool.

Lauri Koskela (1992) identified the first task for academics 'is to explain the new philosophy in... more Lauri Koskela (1992) identified the first task for academics 'is to explain the new philosophy in the context of construction'and this is first objective here. The second is to provide a foundation to understand the contributions of Glenn Ballard which follow. The chapter first discusses changes in the construction industry to suggest why a new (or for that matter any) production theory is required. The extent of the uncertainty experienced on projects leads to yet another comparison between manufacturing and construction.

ABSTRACT Two opposing objectives drive construction project budgets. Budgets are driven higher by... more ABSTRACT Two opposing objectives drive construction project budgets. Budgets are driven higher by the objective of providing sufficient funds to achieve project goals in conditions of uncertainty, and driven lower by the objective of spending no more than necessary to accomplish project goals. These two risks, running out of money and leaving money on the table, are in tension and finding the balance point between them is a challenge not always met���some might say 'infrequently met'. Projects can and do fail both ways.

ABSTRACT Waste has been considered to be a major problem in the construction industry. Not only d... more ABSTRACT Waste has been considered to be a major problem in the construction industry. Not only does waste have an impact on the efficiency of the construction industry but also on the overall state of the economy of the country. Contractor firms have begun to seek ways of increasing their competitive advantage in global markets by removing all kinds of waste inherent in the construction process by means of implementation of lean construction techniques.

A project delivery process simulation is presented based upon empirical studies in the design���b... more A project delivery process simulation is presented based upon empirical studies in the design���build environment of semiconductor fabrication facilities ('fabs'). The model captures key tasks and decisions in design, procurement and construction, as well as design criteria changes along the delivery of a R&D fab utility system.

ABSTRACT Stuart Green proposes that researchers have ignored the ���Dark Side��� of lean construc... more ABSTRACT Stuart Green proposes that researchers have ignored the ���Dark Side��� of lean construction, taking for granted it is a good thing. He charges that these academics are ignoring the debate about the transferability of Japanese automobile manufacturing to other settings, and that lean leads to the repression of trade unions and to regressive human resource management.

ABSTRACT A database program called WorkPlan has been created to systematically develop weekly wor... more ABSTRACT A database program called WorkPlan has been created to systematically develop weekly work plans. WorkPlan adopts the Last Planner methodology, which implements several lean construction techniques.

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the use of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) for make-to-order products... more ABSTRACT This paper investigates the use of Value Stream Mapping (VSM) for make-to-order products in a job shop environment, specifically the fabrication of Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) sheet metal ductwork. The use of VSM for analyzing the production of repetitive units has proven to be successful in different industries.

Abstract Specialty contractors have knowledge to contribute to the early design of architecture, ... more Abstract Specialty contractors have knowledge to contribute to the early design of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) products. In current practice, however, they are seldom involved in early design, but evidence suggests that their early involvement is increasing. Lean construction theory advocates such involvement. The practice of involving suppliers in product development efforts and manufacturing has proven to be highly successful.

ABSTRACT Construction projects become complicated and fragmented so that many specialty contracto... more ABSTRACT Construction projects become complicated and fragmented so that many specialty contractors are involved. In such changed environments, a general contractor's overhead costs are increasing comparable to direct costs. In addition to an increase of volume, activities consisting of overhead costs play an important role in coordinating different participants who include different specialty contractors and client.

Target costing in the construction industry is the practice of constraining design and constructi... more Target costing in the construction industry is the practice of constraining design and construction of a capital facility to a maximum cost. It is an appropriate practice for all clients with financial constraints (maximum available funds or minimum ROI requirements) that a capital facility project must meet in order to be considered successful by that client.

ABSTRACT: With the advancement of information technology and increased market competition, constr... more ABSTRACT: With the advancement of information technology and increased market competition, construction companies are driven to employ supply chain management strategies to seek competitive advantage. Managing logistics is one component at the core of such strategies. An effective logistics system ensures delivery of the right products and services to the right customers at the right time while minimizing costs and rewarding all participants based on value added to the supply chain.

ABSTRACT Past research has found many drawbacks in the conventional approaches to managing projec... more ABSTRACT Past research has found many drawbacks in the conventional approaches to managing projects. Among the criticisms is the traditional understanding of value generation primarily focused on product creation, while the industry struggles to meet the expectations of different groups of stakeholders about the benefits that these projects are supposed to generate. In the pursuit of projects as means to achieve agreed goals and the fulfilment of a purpose, alternative approaches have been suggested.

ABSTRACT Better design decision management is possible through the use of lean production plannin... more ABSTRACT Better design decision management is possible through the use of lean production planning and control techniques, group decision-making, and knowledge management tools. Central to the success of these tools is the capture and timely management of the design rationale underlying design decisions. This research views design as a collaborative decision-making process, and highlights the need for supporting group technologies.

A very substantial body of empirical and theoretical literature now exists which purports to show... more A very substantial body of empirical and theoretical literature now exists which purports to show that the explanation of long-term contracts by means of the classical law of contract is most problematic. The classical law, and its economic corollary in relatively unsophisticated forms of neo-classical economics, assume contractual promises to be the legal expression of the intentions of rational, utility maximising individuals making discrete exchanges in perfectly competitive markets.

ABSTRACT This paper presents a theory of workplace planning and a steering model to support the m... more ABSTRACT This paper presents a theory of workplace planning and a steering model to support the management of the facility planning process. The theory links workplace planning to production, not only to construction production, but also to the organization's general strategy. A spatial investment in an operation competes for the same resources as the other investments in the operations. Spaces are the scene of a temporal flow of operations and nonuse time.

ABSTRACT Target value design (TVD) is a management method for integrated project delivery (IPD) t... more ABSTRACT Target value design (TVD) is a management method for integrated project delivery (IPD) through the collaborative efforts among different stakeholders. This study uses game theory to explain how TVD fundamentally enables each stakeholder to collaborate on initial design alignment. According to the prisoner's dilemma, two people locked in separate jail cells tend not to cooperate even if their cooperation could bring maximum benefits to both of them because each one suspects the possibility of being betrayed by the other.