INSTITUTE FOR LEAN CONSTRUCTION EXCELLENCE LEAN MATURITY MODEL (ILMM) – A LEAN MATURITY MODEL FOR INDIAN CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

In the construction industry, sustained implementation of lean practices is vital for enhancing efficiency and outcomes for projects and organisations. Having a maturity model is one way to assess sustained implementation. This paper identifies the need and describes a comprehensive maturity model framework to gauge and improve project and organisational lean maturity in the Indian construction context – Institute for Lean Construction Excellence Lean Maturity Model (ILMM). The model introduces a distinctive 4x3 matrix, with four levels – Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum – each further divided into three sublevels – Low, Medium, and High. The assessment is done on five dimensions – top management support, process, people & partners, methods & tools, and technology. Field data collection has been done on two projects to see if data on the proposed assessment dimensions can be gathered and an appropriate rating provided to the project along with guidelines on how to improve the maturity. This research advances lean construction practices by providing a practical framework for continuous improvement and organisational excellence tailored to local construction contexts. In the next phase, the authors plan to do a more elaborate assessment across a broader range of projects and modify the ILMM framework as needed based on their experience.