To develop the tools needed to build lean, the AGC has developed the Lean Construction Education Program. Construction professionals at all experience levels will learn the building blocks necessary to transform their projects and companies into a lean operating system.
The American Institute of Architects reported last month that the Architectural Billings Index had jumped to 52 in December, indicating that the demand for nonresidential construction is on the rise. Any reading above 50 is said to indicate an increase in commercial building construction 6 to 9 months in the future. December was the second consecutive month with a reading of 52, which, according to AIA chief economist Kermit Baker and several others, is a sign of good things to come in 2012. Read the complete article here.
In these uncertain economic times, construction financing is harder to secure. Willing lenders are out there, but are requiring the project owners to take far more fiscal responsibility and guarantee much more. This tougher lending climate is forcing developers to pour more of their financial resources into the project and to bear more responsibility should the investment perform poorly. To read the complete article, click here.
Unit 1: Variation in Productions Systems, in AGC’s Lean Construction Education Program, is now available. Variation in Production Systems is a four-hour course that will be offered locally at AGC Chapters across the country. Following completion of this course, participants will be able to:
The AGC Lean Construction Forum is an inclusive and collaborative community that is open to anyone with an interest in lean construction processes. The Forum website provides information on the latest Forum activities, lean-related articles, a searchable database of lean resources and a discussion tool that allows Forum members to share information and ask questions.
Construction employment increased in December by 17,000 driven by gains in nonresidential construction employment, according to an analysis of new federal employment data released today by AGC.
After much uncertainty, late last week Congress struck a deal to collectively pass the remaining appropriations measures for FY 2012. The legislation, (H.R. 3671, H. Rept. 112-331) funds the federal agencies under the remaining nine Appropriations bills, including: Defense, Energy and Water, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Interior/Environment, Labor/Health and Human Services/Education, the Legislative Branch, Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, and State/Foreign Operations. AGC has advocated for this measure to come together to ensure predictability for the FY 2012 federal construction programs for both the construction industry as well as the government.
The last twelve months have been interesting, aggravating and not very productive. Between Election Day 2010 and Christmas Day 2010, the President, House and Senate agreed to a continuing resolution that funded the government through March, they agreed to an extension of the Bush tax rates, an extension of emergency unemployment benefits and a payroll tax holiday that reduced the employee portion of funds withheld for social security.
Construction projects are increasingly more complex. Cash is now the grand emperor of survival and competition for fewer jobs is intense. Contractors must do more with fewer resources and greater cooperation is needed to have successful projects. Come learn about how Lean Construction processes deliver solutions that work. This webinar will introduce the basic principles and three proven techniques of Lean applied to construction.
The AGC IPD and Lean Construction Building Conference was held Sept. 21-24, 2011 in San Antonio, Texas with a record attendance of more than 230 participants. Building construction contractors, construction project owners, design professionals, attorneys, suppliers and service suppliers came together to hear from an excellent line-up of industry experts about the impact of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Lean Construction on the construction industry.