A study on how to improve the throughput time of Lean Six Sigma projects in a construction company

The purpose of this paper is to study the use of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology in a construction company.

In our study we analyze 62 LSS improvement projects carried out within a Dutch company. In our analysis we focus on both speed, in terms of throughput time (THT), and impact, in terms of project completion, of each project.

From the analysis we conclude that the current THT of a project is about a year and we identify important factors that cause large project's THTs These factors are then translated into recommendations for an efficient execution of LSS improvement projects.

The analysis is based on a sample from one company of the Dutch construction industry. The scope should be broadened as more companies adopt quality and process improvement programs, such as LSS.

The narrowed scope, only one company and focused mostly on the speed of projects, helped to do an in-depth analysis. Therefore, we are able to present concrete and useful recommendations that relate to practical issues in the execution of improvement projects. These recommendations offer a checklist for construction companies in the project selection process, in situations of starting or improving an LSS program