In the previous posts we’ve published, RNDV Chief Project Officer Giedrius Grėbliūnas uncovered two critical truths: improving efficiency in construction is no easy task, and the key opportunity lies in eliminating waste to free up time for value-added activities.
But that leaves us with an important question: What’s next? Where should we start to achieve better results in our projects?
“A few years ago, these questions became our guiding light. We wanted to learn from the best—companies that had already achieved outstanding results in construction efficiency. As a result, we attended conferences where experts shared success stories and lessons learned. In the past year alone, we listened to over 80 companies. From these stories, we began to identify patterns—strategies and tools that contributed to their efficiency gains. We recognized three key tendencies that drive success in construction,” says Giedrius Grėbliūnas, outlining those tendencies.
Tendency No. 1: Lean Thinking Training Strategy
Efficiency starts with mindset. Implementing Lean thinking within a company isn’t just about adopting tools; it’s about cultivating a culture, philosophy, and management system that focuses on continuous improvement and the elimination of waste.
The journey towards Lean excellence is best illustrated by the iceberg concept. The visible tools and techniques are just the tip; the real transformation lies in the foundational elements—company culture, leadership commitment, and systems that support sustainable progress.
“At RNDV, we embarked on this journey four years ago, starting with a small workshop held in a container in Germany. Supervisors from across Europe gathered to discuss challenges, solutions, and ways to improve. This humble beginning laid the groundwork for a much larger and more structured learning environment,” shares RNDV Chief Project Officer.
Today, RNDV hosts large workshops, conduct online courses using Learning Management Systems, where a comprehensive library of all necessary knowledge is created and continuously updated to meet evolving business needs, and organizes bi-weekly webinars, all designed to foster continuous growth. We cover a wide range of topics, including project management, Lean Construction, leadership skills, and even personal development.
We firmly believe that only individuals who are both professionally and personally fulfilled can deliver truly exceptional results. Our focus on growth at every level ensures that everyone in the organization contributes to the pursuit of excellence.
Tendency No. 2: Collaborative and visual planning to eliminate waste
“At RNDV, we prioritize collaborative project planning, leverage visual tools, and integrate takt planning along with other methods to proactively eliminate waste. This is why we created the RNDV Planning System,” says Giedrius Grėbliūnas. In contrast to traditional construction planning, which is often rigid and fragmented, our approach promotes collaboration and facilitates real-time adaptability.
Essential Phases in the RNDV Planning System:
The core of RNDV’s planning system is a collaborative approach that cultivates trust and accountability, ensuring alignment across the project team at every stage. This leads to more reliable, predictable projects with enhanced workflow efficiency.
We place significant emphasis on visualizing the planning process. The visual below illustrates the core concept. Unlike traditional tools like Microsoft Project, which can be complex and difficult to interpret, planning system offers straightforward, visual management that clearly communicates both our objectives and the progress of the work.
Full-kit — we do not initiate any work unless all the required resources, tools, and materials are fully planned and made available to the team in advance. This approach helps prevent delays and ensures the team can work efficiently without interruptions.
Takt planning — we aim to implement takt, which involves aligning the work pace with a fixed, consistent time interval. By identifying opportunities to use takt, we optimize workflow, reduce bottlenecks, and create a more predictable and efficient work process.
Continuous improvement methods – by identifying the reasons behind incomplete planned activities, analyzing them, and proactively implementing corrective actions, we can ensure that planned objectives are successfully achieved.
„Effective leadership in planning and execution control is about guiding discussions, fostering transparency, and encouraging the team to take ownership of outcomes. When fully integrated, RNDV‘s planning system can transform project planning and execution, aligning all stakeholders and driving enhanced success” explains Giedrius Grėbliūnas.
Tendency No. 3: Leveraging Construction Software
Did you know that 70% of construction companies still rely solely on spreadsheets? In a fast-paced industry, that’s a missed opportunity. Modern construction software offers functionalities that revolutionize how projects are managed.
At RNDV, we use Procore to streamline various processes, including:
- Drawings management: Ensuring everyone accesses the latest versions.
- Problem-solving tools: Accelerating resolution timelines.
- Quality control: Tracking issues and ensuring compliance.
- Real-time project status updates: Providing clear visibility for all stakeholders.
- Mobile app integration: Allowing field teams to stay connected.
By adopting Procore, we’ve reduced inefficiencies and improved overall project control, ensuring that every detail is accounted for.
Final thought
RNDV Chief Project Officer highlights that efficiency in construction requires a strategic approach. “At RNDV, we’ve embraced a philosophy of continuous learning, collaborative planning, and leveraging technology. Whether it’s through Lean training, adopting new methodologies, or utilizing advanced software, the journey to better results starts with a commitment to improvement at every level,” tells Giedrius Grėbliūnas.
If your goal is to achieve more than average results in construction, now is the time to act. The tools, strategies, and mindset are within your reach—how will you start your journey?
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