.2. Performance improvement skills and mechanisms
9.2.1. Performance improvement mechanisms
The mechanisms for learning can be grouped in three categories:
(1) Learning from Experience: Such mechanisms include
observation and analysis of existing processes (office or field),
after action reviews, and any methods for review and evaluation
of organizational activities. Work methods improvement
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Market
Conditions
Work Load and
Project Pressures
Organizational
Performance
Time Spent on
Production
Management
Support
Perceived Need
for Improvement Time Spent on
Improvement Employee
Motivation
Skills and
Mechanisms
Perspective
and Goals
Operational
Improvements
Problem
Complexity
Improvement
Results
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Figure 13 Model of performance improvement process.
Applying lean thinking in construction and performance improvement 691
developed systematic approaches to analyze production operations;
(2) Gathering Intelligence: Another way to identify potential
improvements is by monitoring the external
environment. This includes exploring developments outside
the company, keep up with new designs, methods and technologies
that take place outside the company; and (3) Learning
through Experimentation: Experimentation includes the usage
of new untested methods and techniques. These could be production
technologies, management methods (e.g., last planner),
new information systems, incentives systems, etc. Two
important issues related to experimentation are: (a) The extent
that management supports risk taking (otherwise, no real risks
will be taken); and (b) How can we reduce/better control the
risk involved in construction experiments? (e.g., it may be necessary
to team-up with owners to conduct some experiments).
The use of learning mechanisms increases the organization’s
ability to identify problems and improvements. However, the
ability to identify effective changes also depends heavily on
the available skills.