DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF A SIMULATION GAME ON WASTE ELIMINATION USING LEAN PRACTICES

Abstract

Lean concepts of waste elimination and analysis of Value-Adding (VA) and Non-Value-Adding (NVA) activities holds the potential for improved processes in a construction project and enhanced value creation for the client. Simulation games can be effectively used to impart knowledge about these concepts and tap the potential of lean philosophy in the construction industry. This paper reports the development and testing of a simulation game that focuses on waste elimination and value maximisation using lean principles. This paper chronicles the details of setting game requirements, prototype design, material selection, sequence of work, room set up, roles and scenarios and rules for different rounds. The simulation game consisted of three rounds. Round 1 involved traditional construction processes in which, lean wastes are evident, which adversely affects variables like time, cost and quality. In Rounds 2 and 3, various lean practices are introduced, with an aim to eliminate waste and to understand value-adding and non-value-adding activities. The developed simulation was tested with post graduate students at CEPT University, India. The post simulation discussion indicated that the simulation game resulted in enhanced understanding on waste, value and lean practices. This simulation game can be further enhanced by integrating aspects of value stream mapping of construction process.