Location based Takt Planning in Construction Management: A Rhythm for Flow

Location-based Takt planning (LBTP) is a construction planning method that focuses on creating a predictable rhythm of work at specific locations on the project site. Takt time is the amount of time that it takes to produce a single unit of output, and LBTP uses takt time to schedule work in a way that minimizes waste and maximizes efficiency.

LBTP is based on the following principles:

• Balance: All work activities should be balanced in terms of their duration and resource requirements. This helps to ensure that no one activity becomes a bottleneck and that work can flow smoothly from one location to the next.

• Visibility: The work schedule should be highly visible to all stakeholders, so that everyone knows what is supposed to be happening and when. This helps to improve communication and coordination, and to identify and resolve any potential problems early on.

• Pull: Work should be pulled through the system based on customer demand, rather than pushed through based on a pre-determined schedule. This helps to ensure that work is only done when it is needed, and that resources are allocated to the most important tasks.

LBTP is implemented in the following steps:

1. Identify the locations on the project site where work will be sequenced. This is typically done by dividing the project into smaller areas, such as floors, rooms, or units.

2. Determine the takt time for each location. This is done by dividing the total project duration by the desired number of units to be produced.

3. Sequence the work activities at each location. This is done by identifying the dependencies between activities and ensuring that all activities are completed within the takt time.

4. Create a visual schedule of the work. This is typically done using a line-of-balance chart, which shows the sequence of activities at each location over time.

5. Implement the schedule and monitor progress. This is done by holding regular meetings with stakeholders to review the schedule and identify any potential problems.

LBTP offers a number of benefits for construction projects, including:

• Reduced costs: LBTP can help to reduce costs by minimizing waste and improving efficiency.

• Improved schedules: LBTP can help to improve schedules by creating a predictable rhythm of work and reducing variability.

• Increased quality: LBTP can help to improve quality by focusing on the completion of each unit of work before moving on to the next.

• Improved safety: LBTP can help to improve safety by reducing congestion on the worksite and creating a more orderly work environment.

LBTP is a powerful tool that can help construction teams to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their projects. By creating a predictable rhythm of work and focusing on the completion of each unit of work, LBTP can help teams to reduce costs, improve schedules, increase quality, and improve safety.

Here are some examples of how LBTP has been used successfully on construction projects:

• On a hospital construction project, LBTP was used to sequence the work of different trades in a way that minimized disruption to patient care.

• On a high-rise office building construction project, LBTP was used to improve the flow of materials and equipment on the worksite.

• On a residential construction project, LBTP was used to reduce the time it took to build each home.

LBTP is a relatively new construction planning method, but it is quickly gaining popularity due to its many benefits. If you are looking for a way to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your construction projects, LBTP is worth considering.