Lean Sustainable Indices: A case for South African Public Infrastructure Sector

Abstract

The interwoven nature of the goal of lean and sustainability points to synergy that can be created for industry, and societal benefits. The paucity of studies, which dwell on the impact of lean and sustainability on construction project performance is however notable. This is the case of public sector infrastructure projects (PSIP), which form the focus of this research. This exploratory study assesses the indices required for measuring the integrative implementation of lean and sustainability concepts in an infrastructure project. The study is qualitative in nature, based on interpretative theoretical framework that is grounded in lived experiences of project stakeholders. Emergent findings indicate that although the generic internal project key performance indices (KPI) of cost, time and quality is of major concerns to the stakeholders, indices required for integrative implementation of lean and sustainability are more broader in satisfying various stakeholders concerns, which would match business and environmental excellence, energy efficiency and optimum indoor environment, minimized resource consumption, minimized emissions, increase health and well-being, user productivity, reduced noise and dust pollution, stakeholders collaboration, and community social benefits. Such benefits include employment and enhanced industry competitiveness. It can be argued that a focus on these indices could lead to project delivery with limited impact in terms of sustainable development.