LEAN CONSTRUCTION IN SINGAPORE AND ITS HUMAN RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

The formation of the Construction 21 Steering Committee by the Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of National Development in 1999, and the resulting Construction 21 report to make recommendations for the transformation of Singapore construction industry, first highlighted the need for the Singapore construction industry to look into the possibility of implementing ‘Lean Thinking’ into the local construction industry.

Since then there have been evidence that construction companies in Singapore have begun practicing lean techniques of the current local construction industry but there is still difficulty in a major diffusion of a lean culture in the form of a new paradigm in construction management referred to as lean construction.

Thus, this dissertation aims to assess the current conformance of Singapore construction firms to lean principles that most represented what is lean construction. These principles were identified and developed into a survey questionnaire format where firms had to assess the level of lean in their current practice against the principles.

A secondary study was also done to explore the human resource management implications that may arise due to wider adoption of lean construction in the Singapore construction industry.

The assessment of lean conformance of Singapore firms will provide a foundation for further implementation of lean construction in Singapore, through studies on developing the framework and tools for implementation. The study on human resource implication is necessary to minimize any negative implications that result from lean construction.

Though this dissertation targets only contractor for assessment, and may not be representative of all the various parties involve in the construction industry, it is hoped that this dissertation provides a better insight into the level of lean construction in Singapore and thus the industry’s plans for further adoption.