UC Berkeley

Takt production refers to a construction planning and control method rooted in core concepts and principles of Lean Production. Several benefits have been associated with its use, including increased work efficiency, simplified control procedures, improved plan reliability, and reduced project lead times. Nevertheless, takt production deserves further study to fill existing knowledge gaps. First, many studies report on the successful use of takt production in construction projects, but they overlook takt control and the metrics required to assess project performance. Second, few studies on takt production in construction discuss the method’s theoretical foundations and the need to make the method suit the level of complexity of any particular project. This study has developed a set of preliminary propositions for implementing takt control in construction projects, considering projects as complex sociotechnical systems. These propositions are grounded in core Lean Production concepts and principles and the requirements of control systems designed to manage complexity. Examples of takt control practices identified in case studies are used to illustrate these propositions.