Teaching Lean Construction Principles and Methods Across the Construction Curriculum

9 pages•Published: June 2, 2026

Abstract

Lean Construction (LC) has been taught in academic and professional settings over the past 30 years. However, it is still not considered a mainstream topic in Construction-related programs. This paper reports on a collaborative initiative where academics are incorporating LC across the construction curriculum offered through their institutions using a structured method in different courses. Specific examples show how different construction courses have used serious games (simulations) to explain and anchor LC concepts into activities students can relate to. Such examples also demonstrate the integration of LC in multiple construction engineering and management courses at SDSU. It is envisioned that by sharing these examples, the construction education community is informed about the different mechanisms associated with embedding LC education as part of mainstream construction degree programs.

Keyphrases: lean construction, serious games, student learning outcomes, teaching

In: Wesley Collins, Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference, vol 7, pages 71-79.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/VNXJ
	https://doi.org/10.29007/t6d7

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2026:Teaching_Lean_Construction_Principles,
  author    = {Thais Alves and Sagata Bhawani},
  title     = {Teaching Lean Construction Principles and Methods Across the Construction Curriculum},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference},
  editor    = {Wesley Collins and Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {7},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/VNXJ},
  doi       = {10.29007/t6d7},
  pages     = {71-79},
  year      = {2026}}

Download PDF Open PDF in browser