Lean construction – 2000 to 2006

Construction management research in the early 1990s called for Architecture-Engineering-Construction (AEC) researchers and practitioners to investigate how the theory, principles, and techniques associated with the Toyota Production System (TPS) can be abstracted and applied to the planning and management of AEC projects. Since then, the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) has become a focal point for showcasing research efforts in this regard. Contributors to IGLC proceedings include academics, practitioners, and consultants covering a range of project types, project phases, and countries. By analyzing the keywords listed by IGLC papers from 2000 to 2006, we hope to identify major research areas to provide a perspective as to what Lean Construction means in 2006. We will also make recommendations for future research and identify strategies for streamlining the IGLC community’s efforts in categorizing papers for fellow researchers. © Lean Construction Journal 2007.