Short answer
When implementing lean construction in megaprojects, prioritize practices related to 'People Involvement and Continuous Improvement' and 'Planning and Scheduling' for the greatest positive effect on adoption and project outcomes.
- Field
- Commercial Production
- Source
- Sustainable Development (2025)
- Method
- Mixed-methods research, combining literature review, expert interviews, and quantitative survey data analysis using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation (FSE).
- Sample
- 379 professionals
- Evidence
- Strong effect
A validated model identifies and prioritizes specific lean construction practices that significantly enhance the adoption and success of lean principles in large-scale, complex projects, ultimately improving efficiency and sustainability. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Sustainable Development. Using Mixed-methods research, combining literature review, expert interviews, and quantitative survey data analysis using structural equation modeling (sem) and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (fse). with 379 professionals, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When implementing lean construction in megaprojects, prioritize practices related to 'People Involvement and Continuous Improvement' and 'Planning and Scheduling' for the greatest positive effect on adoption and project outcomes.
Prioritizing Lean Construction Practices for Sustainable Megaproject Delivery
A validated model identifies and prioritizes specific lean construction practices that significantly enhance the adoption and success of lean principles in large-scale, complex projects, ultimately improving efficiency and sustainability.
Sustainable Development · 2025
Key Findings
- 01All six identified categories of lean construction practices significantly and positively influence lean construction adoption in megaprojects.
- 02People Involvement and Continuous Improvement, followed by Safety and Quality Assurance, are the strongest predictors of lean construction adoption.
- 03Planning and Scheduling, Flow and Pull Systems, and Customer Focus and Waste Elimination were identified as the highest-impact practices through fuzzy synthetic evaluation.
Application
Design takeaway
When implementing lean construction in megaprojects, prioritize practices related to 'People Involvement and Continuous Improvement' and 'Planning and Scheduling' for the greatest positive effect on adoption and project outcomes.
How to apply
For large-scale construction projects, conduct an assessment of current lean practices and focus on enhancing 'People Involvement and Continuous Improvement' and 'Planning and Scheduling' to maximize lean adoption and project success.
Project actions
- 01When designing a process for a large project, consider how to integrate 'lean' principles.
- 02Think about how to measure the impact of different process improvements on project efficiency and sustainability.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive model development and validation using mixed methods.
- +Empirical evidence from a large sample size in a relevant context.
Limitations
The complexity of megaprojects means that isolating the exact impact of a single lean practice can be challenging in a smaller design project. Generalizing findings from a specific economic context might require careful consideration.
Reliability & validity
The study employed SEM and FSE, robust statistical techniques, to establish the validity and reliability of the model. The use of a large sample size and mixed methods further strengthens its reliability and generalizability within the studied context.
Think critically
How might the prioritization of lean construction practices differ in projects with different scales, complexities, or cultural contexts compared to the megaprojects studied?
Design Principles
"Strategic implementation of prioritized lean construction practices drives efficiency and sustainability in complex projects."
Megaprojects are prone to significant inefficiencies. Understanding which lean construction practices have the most impact allows project managers to strategically implement solutions, leading to reduced waste, improved collaboration, and more sustainable outcomes in complex construction environments.
What This Means for Your Design
This research shows that for big construction projects, focusing on teamwork, always trying to get better, making sure things are safe and good quality, and planning well are the most important ways to make 'lean construction' work and make projects more sustainable.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the prioritized list of lean construction practices to inform the development of a new process or system for a design project.
- 2.Reference the validated model to justify the selection of specific design strategies aimed at improving efficiency or sustainability.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research provides a validated model for prioritizing lean construction practices in megaprojects, highlighting 'People Involvement and Continuous Improvement' and 'Planning and Scheduling' as key drivers of adoption and success. This framework can inform the design of more efficient and sustainable construction processes by focusing on these high-impact areas.
Source
Sustainable Development
A Comprehensive Model for Lean Construction Practices for Sustainable Megaproject Delivery
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about prioritizing lean construction practices for sustainable megaproject delivery?
- When implementing lean construction in megaprojects, prioritize practices related to 'People Involvement and Continuous Improvement' and 'Planning and Scheduling' for the greatest positive effect on adoption and project outcomes. Evidence: Sustainable Development (2025).
- Why does "Prioritizing Lean Construction Practices for Sustainable Megaproject Delivery" matter for design?
- Megaprojects are prone to significant inefficiencies. Understanding which lean construction practices have the most impact allows project managers to strategically implement solutions, leading to reduced waste, improved collaboration, and more sustainable outcomes in complex construction environments.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When implementing lean construction in megaprojects, prioritize practices related to 'People Involvement and Continuous Improvement' and 'Planning and Scheduling' for the greatest positive effect on adoption and project outcomes.
- What were the main findings?
- All six identified categories of lean construction practices significantly and positively influence lean construction adoption in megaprojects.. People Involvement and Continuous Improvement, followed by Safety and Quality Assurance, are the strongest predictors of lean construction adoption.. Planning and Scheduling, Flow and Pull Systems, and Customer Focus and Waste Elimination were identified as the highest-impact practices through fuzzy synthetic evaluation.
- What research method was used?
- Mixed-methods research, combining literature review, expert interviews, and quantitative survey data analysis using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation (FSE). with 379 professionals.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Sustainable Development.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- For large-scale construction projects, conduct an assessment of current lean practices and focus on enhancing 'People Involvement and Continuous Improvement' and 'Planning and Scheduling' to maximize lean adoption and project success.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on megaprojects, and findings may not directly translate to smaller construction projects. The context of rapidly developing economies was a primary focus, which might influence the generalizability to other economic contexts.