Visual management in Brazilian construction companies : taxonomy and guidelines for implementation

Tezel, BA; Koskela, LJ; Tzortzopoulos Fazenda, P; Formoso, CT; Alves, T

Abstract

Visual management (VM) is the managerial strategy of consciously integrating visual tools in workspaces with the aim of increasing transparency on construction sites. Several VM tools and approaches that had been originally developed in the manufacturing context were implemented in construction. However, research on the application of VM in construction as a managerial strategy is scarce. This paper aims to investigate and classify the types of visual devices that can be used in construction sites through multiple case studies carried out in nine construction companies actively implementing VM. It also discusses strategies for the implementation of VM in construction. The main contributions of this investigation are: (1) a VM tools taxonomy that can be used to identify VM application opportunities, providing a basis for evaluating the level of VM implementation in construction; and (2) identification of critical factors for the implementation and various features of the VM strategy in construction.

Citation

Tezel, B., Koskela, L., Tzortzopoulos Fazenda, P., Formoso, C., & Alves, T. (2015). Visual management in Brazilian construction companies : taxonomy and guidelines for implementation. Journal of Management in Engineering, 31(6), 05015001. https://doi.org/10.1061/%28ASCE%29ME.1943-5479.0000354

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 11, 2014
• Publication Date: Jan 28, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jun 8, 2015
• Journal: Journal of Management in Engineering
• Print ISSN: 0742-597X
• Electronic ISSN: 1943-5479
• Publisher: Coasts, Oceans, Ports and Rivers Institute
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 05015001
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/%28ASCE%29ME.1943-5479.0000354
• Keywords: Visual management, lean construction, production system design
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000354
• Related Public URLs: http://ascelibrary.org/journal/jmenea
• Additional Information: Funders : Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)