In this blog, I’m going to discuss what to keep your eye on in construction and why it’s so important. Would you like to know how to identify flow in construction, how you can create that flow, and what to focus on between work and resources? Let’s cover all that right now.
The Concept of Throughput
To start, let’s dive into the concept of throughput. Imagine a manufacturing plant where we want to know how much material is processed from start to finish for a specific grouping of products. Throughput refers to this rate of production. Picture a series of machines aligned in a single line, where the product flows from one to another until it exits the system.
Now, let’s analyze the throughput rate of each piece of equipment. For example, if we have a machine capable of producing four parts per hour, we could visualize the following rates along the line: four parts per hour, four parts per hour, two parts per hour, four parts per hour, and four parts per hour.
If our factory operates at 100% efficiency, many might say that the throughput rate is determined by the bottleneck—the machine that can only produce two parts per hour. But that’s just part of the picture.
Analyzing the Rate of Throughput
What if we consider options to improve flow? Some might suggest upgrading the bottleneck equipment or adding a second machine to split the output. If we split the flow from the bottleneck, we could achieve a throughput of four parts per hour.
Alternatively, if upgrading or adding resources isn’t possible, we might think of slowing everything else down to match the bottleneck’s rate. While that may sound counterintuitive, this approach could actually streamline the entire operation.
However, the crucial realization here is that if everything operates at full capacity without regard for bottlenecks, we risk creating excess inventory. This leads to increased labor demands to manage that inventory, ultimately slowing down the throughput of the entire system.
Effects of Bottlenecks in Your Operations
When we rush to increase production without addressing bottlenecks, we create a buildup of overproduced materials, leading to defects, excessive motion, and wasted resources. Therefore, rather than pushing everyone to work faster, we should focus on identifying flow and balancing our resources.
You can either acquire additional resources or level out operations, having machines work only when necessary. The key takeaway is that it’s better to have a smooth flow than to prioritize worker busyness.
Achieving Stability in a Construction Project
When managing a construction project, think of your workflow in zones. Workers and equipment need to transition through various zones efficiently. By mapping out the time taken for each zone, we can identify flow issues.
For instance, if you have three zones taking two hours, six hours, and two hours, you’ll notice a bottleneck that could affect overall project efficiency. The goal is to optimize flow by either reallocating resources or adjusting the pace of work in each zone.
Mapping Out the Flow of Operations in a Hospital
Let’s take an example from a hospital setting. Here, the patient is the flow unit. Mapping a patient’s journey through the system—from scheduling an appointment, checking in, seeing a doctor, undergoing testing, and finally receiving treatment—allows us to visualize and improve the patient flow.
The same principles apply to construction. If you map the flow through zones, you’ll be able to identify bottlenecks and optimize workflow efficiently.
Conclusion
To achieve stability and efficiency in your construction projects, you need to focus on the flow, not just the busy work of employees. Whether you’re in a manufacturing plant or a construction site, understanding throughput and flow will help you identify and resolve bottlenecks, leading to improved project outcomes.
As you map out your production system, consider how different elements interact and ensure you have a balanced workflow. By networking these production systems together, you can streamline processes and achieve the earliest possible completion dates.
I hope this blog has provided valuable insights into project stability flow in construction!
