How to Succeed with the Lookahead Process of The Last Planner

System

21Feb 2018

 by Frank Coln

Properly executing the look ahead planning portion of The Last Planner System can ensure
your project team is set up for success. This exercise typically occurs during weekly team
meetings where teams evaluate what “can” be done over the next 6 to 8 weeks. The goal is
for the team to identify constraints, assign responsibility, and commit to resolving them
prior to the constraint impacting the activity. This article will offer helpful tips to get the
most out of your look ahead planning sessions.

1. Identify the activities

Allow the pull plan to dictate the upcoming activities. Simply, ask trade partners to identify
their activities that can be worked on over the next six to eight weeks. Record the activities
in the look ahead schedule. This creates start and completion dates to each activity. Most
companies use a scheduling program to document the look ahead such as MS Project or P6.
There are also some companies that have created web based platforms that allow project
teams to manage look ahead schedules. The important thing to remember is teams should
allow the look ahead plans to set the dates for the start and completion of activities.

2. Record Constraints
The next step is to evaluate the activities for constraints. Do not ignore this process. Each
activity must have certain known information, materials, and available manpower to begin.
The illustration below shows most of the items that must be known prior to beginning any
construction activity.
This should offer guidance to help teams create a constraint log. If any of the information
that the task requires is not known, it is a constraint that could keep the task from beginning
as planned. Ask the trade partners to identify any needed information or pre-requisite work
that the task requires. This should be recorded on a constraint log. Identifying the
responsible person for resolving the issue must be included on the constraint log. If they
commit to resolve the issue prior to the start of the activity, then the team is likely to begin
and finish the activity on time.

3. Follow Up
Each week, your team should have the look ahead meeting. This is the opportunity to
review the constraint log and confirm that each constraint is being worked out by the
responsible party. Each team has a different method for recording constraints. Spreadsheets
are easily distributed and can be reviewed quickly. White boards displayed in the big room
work well also. The key is to be consistent in reviewing the constraint log. When people are
asked to speak to their responsibilities, they are more likely to remove the constraint before
it impacts the look ahead schedule.

Look ahead planning is vital to any construction schedule. Look ahead meetings should last
45 minutes to 1 hour. All trades that have work being performed on site should be in
attendance. By using pull plans to feed look ahead sessions, teams plan with much better
detail and set realistic start dates for their activities. This look ahead process also provides
the avenue to turn work that “should be” accomplished into work that “can” be
accomplished. As constraints are resolved, work activities will roll into trades weekly work
plans of what “will” be accomplished.

If your team is new to implementing LPS, following this process to execute look ahead
planning will help foster a successful implementation. You can use these tips to help your
team stay focused. Feel free to reach out with any questions regarding implementation of
LPS. Please share your stories and advice on look ahead planning in the comments section.