Embracing the implementation of lean construction principles in the Nigerian construction-related professional services firms

Abstract

Lean construction principles are one of such innovative processes that bring about the much needed continuous improvement and desired change in the construction industry. This paper investigates barriers and identifies facilitators that Nigerian construction-related professional services firms could use to embrace its implementation of lean construction principles. The method of study consisted of a critical exposition of related literature and an empirical study employing the mean scores with relative ranking. The study revealed that availability of trained professionals, education, and skills development are the most important facilitators for adopting lean construction principles. In contrast, barriers to adoption of lean construction principles that were ranked most important include: inadequate preplanning, corruption, inadequate exposure to the requirements for lean implementation, inaccurate and incomplete designs, and misconception about lean concepts. These barriers existed in areas such as: management, financial, educational, governmental, technical areas, human attitudes and interpersonal interactions. The paper recommends that building construction stakeholders in the Nigerian construction industry should provide a more enabling environment that will guide and ease the adoption of lean construction principles.