Qualitative analysis of lean tools in the construction sector in Colombia

This descriptive research identifies the lean tools applied worldwide in the supply chain of housing construction recognizing which are the most common tools across different countries, the least explored and which tools have the most reception in Colombia. Through a literary review of 84 academic papers from 22 countries, 254 mentions of 30 lean tools were detected, developing a qualitative content analysis from identified trends of the main differences and similarities in the adoption of lean construction (LC) in Colombia, Latin America and the different continents. The results derived from a Pareto chart and an affinity analysis in which lean tools were reduced to 23 categories, show that the main practices of lean manufacturing and lean construction are Last Planner System, Building Information Models, Visual Management, among others. This study is part of a subsequent project that will take the conclusions of this qualitative analysis to suggest a guiding tool (based on the continuous improvement tools found) that correlates applicable lean approaches with the main actors of the supply chain of high value housing projects in Bogotá. Taking into account the research gap found, this study could serve as a basis for lean construction studies in countries similar to Colombia.