Lean Construction training: Learning Last Planner with Villego (Sydney)

Learning Last Planner with Villego

A one-day Last Planner System simulation training

The Last Planner System (LPS) works with almost any type of project. Developed for construction, it has been used successfully in shipbuilding, aircraft design, software engineering, office relocation, movie making and many other settings.

Good planning matters because it leads to effective actions that produce desired results. That’s why it matters how you plan. Many organizations have found that LPS is an effective way to manage the range of planning conversations that together create safer and more predictable project delivery, on-time and within budget. LPS enables the delivery team to concentrate on what is important: improving the process of production so that it is ever safer, more reliable and creates just what the customer wants.

Villego is a simulation, designed to train individuals and teams in the key elements of LPS. Used as part of the induction for a project team it helps get them off on the right foot. It enables senior managers to understand why LPS is a better way and has helped them understand what they need to do to nurture it across their organization.

Is this workshop for you?

This workshop is aimed at those who already have a basic understanding of lean principles (e.g. an Intro to Lean1) & either:

• Want to know more about Last Planner and how it works, or
• Want to evaluate Villego as a way to train others in LPS

In this workshop:

• Learn about the five crucial planning conversations in the Last Planner System
  • Experience the difference between using them and not using them
  • Learn the basics of collaborative programming, learning from experience
• Understand the benefits of using the Last Planner System in its entirety
• Develop awareness of the importance of creating a system change in project transformation
• Learn how Villego can help you and your project teams deploy Last Planner

This workshop will be structured just as we would normally structure a project team training day using Villego with at least one trainer for each group of 14 up to a maximum of 56 participants. After brief introductions, Villego round 1 leads into a small focused conversation about the role of the system in creating results and a discussion of reliable promising. LCI’s Parade of Trades simulation will be followed by a description of LPS and then Villego round 2. The final part of the day is a discussion of roles and responsibilities in relation to the successful operation of the Last Planner System. For those who are evaluating Villego we will conclude the day with a brief after-hours discussion of the use of the simulation in LPS and project training.

A little more about Last Planner

Last Planner was created 20+ years ago by the founders of the Lean Construction Institute (LCI) in the US to improve production reliability in construction projects. It was initially used in site- construction but people quickly realised it could be used in the design office and in other project- based production contexts too.

As well as keeping projects on time, it can be used to get projects in delay back on track. One project in Scotland that was 4 weeks late with 42 weeks to go was delivered 12 weeks early! Reductions in construction program are common and at the same time safety & quality improve.

About Alan Mossman:

Alan Mossman — Principal of The Change Business. Lean Consultant, Coach and Author

An adviser on lean transformation and Last Planner in design and construction, Alan trained as an architect and then in management and organisation development.

After working in a variety of roles, he only returned to construction in 2001, building on his knowledge and understanding of collaboration, systems thinking, variation, quality and lean. Based in the UK, he has coached design and construction teams implementing Lean and Last Planner for clients around the world.

Alan is founder member of the LCI Education Committee in the US and Editor-at-Large of the Lean Construction Journal, he hosts a number of lean construction groups on LinkedIn, such as the Lean Construction Network. He studies lean transformations in construction and design organisations and is a co-developer of the Villego simulation.