Quality Assurance and Quality Control of High-Rise Enclosure Design Using Lean Principles

There is a recent trend in the construction industry to implement lean concepts. This management strategy is based on a production philosophy originating from the Toyota Production System (TPS) in the 1950s. After World War II, resources were extremely limited, which made it crucial for assembly processes to be as efficient as possible. This led to a focus on minimizing waste and conserving time and the use of physical products. Preassembly, therefore, became a critical phase of the assembly process. In the construction industry, engineers' primary focus is on incorporating lean strategy for production in shop and field environments; however, opportunities exist to apply the philosophy of the lean concept during the development of design phases. This research proposes that a lean strategy is fully applicable to the design process and the preconstruction phase. A case study is built to illustrate the lean concepts' applicability, involving the quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) methods of facade design and production. Architects, facade design teams, and consultants implement QAQC processes to ensure the final appearance and performance of the building's facade meet not only aesthetic expectations but also overall performance criteria. (C) 2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.