b'WCA EDUCATIONLAST PLANNER SYSTEM ROADBLOCKSAddress these four barriers and improve your project outcomesBy James Johnston, P. Eng., CM-Lean, Quality Dynamics Inc.The Last Planner System has become one of the most recognizable and popular Lean Construction tools that attempts to solve the problem of production management on construction sites. The system has been implemented by construction companies around the world and, when implemented well, has improved outcomes on a wide variety of sizes and types of projects. Unfortunately, many organizations struggle to use Last Planner and therefore dont enjoy the benefits that the system provides. The following are four primary roadblocks to a successful Last Planner System implementation.INVESTING IN GOLD 1. Education 3. Leadership Does change require great It has become a common sight to see a group of general contractorsleadership? Absolutely. But in a Lean Construction workshop,Last Planner success requires eagerly learning about the Lastsomething moresomething Planner System and ready todifferent. Stakeholders on implement it right away. Theya project often resist the call the meetings, buy the whitebehavioural change necessary boards and sticky notes, andfor true success until they start almost immediately feel frustrationto see their peers following the because the project team doesntsteps. Someone who follows the leader first is called the fundamentally understand whatfirst followera role that is as important as the leader.they are being asked to do and why. It is imperative that all of the stakeholders on a project (sub-trades, designers, owners, consultants, etc.) understand the theory of the systemnot just the GC. Investing in education for the whole project team is critical. 4. BehaviourPeople sometimes react to change poorly, and this can 2. Practice become an issue for Last Planner System implementations. By recognizing a variety of We have been doing things thebehavioursfrom passivity to same way on construction sites foraggressionand understanding decades, and changing the gamethe causes, teams can work to requires practice. Teams need tosolve the issues. In the business be able to see how the systemworld, we tend to focus on works and what their role requires.hard skills, but developing some emotional intelligence is They first need an opportunity toessential to navigating this roadblock.work the system in a controlled environment to understand how the levels work together and, most importantly, to see how dramatic the results can be. Games and simulations can be a very effective way to accomplish this. Following up withInterested in addressing these roadblocks and consistent daily and weekly planning sessions on the jobimproving your project outcomes? Plan to attend site will continue to improve the process.WCAs one-day workshop: Last Planner System: How to Achieve True Success. Look for it on the Fall/Winter 2020 education schedule.16 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'