Assessing Lean Construction Implementation in Excavation Operations of a Large-Scale Dam Project

Dedi Chandra Lumbantoruan; Rosmariani Arifuddin; Asad Abdurrahman

doi:10.48084/etasr.17912

Authors

Dedi Chandra Lumbantoruan Department of Civil Engineering, Hasanuddin University, Gowa, Indonesia
Rosmariani Arifuddin Department of Civil Engineering, Hasanuddin University, Gowa, Indonesia
Asad Abdurrahman Department of Civil Engineering, Hasanuddin University, Gowa, Indonesia

Volume: 16 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 37019-37024 | June 2026 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.17912

Received: 2 February 2026 | Revised: 23 February 2026 and 9 March 2026 | Accepted: 10 March 2026 | Online: 6 June 2026
Corresponding author: Rosmariani Arifuddin

Abstract

This study applies Lean Construction principles to excavation work, analyzes the effectiveness of Lean tools in maintaining workflow stability, and identifies key factors influencing operational efficiency. Through quantitative descriptive methods, this research uses a case study of the Jenelata Dam Project in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, with primary data obtained from 42 respondents directly involved in excavation operations. The results indicate that Lean Construction is effectively implemented, with the Last Planner System (LPS) and Daily Huddle Meetings (DHMs) being the key factors, achieving Relative Importance Index (RII) values of 0.93 and 0.90, respectively. These findings indicate that daily coordination and structured planning can mitigate common obstacles, such as workflow instability and field coordination challenges, which often occur in dam projects in Indonesia. Furthermore, the analysis shows that supply chain integration and real-time evaluation of obstacles through short coordination meetings are determining factors in reducing wasted time. It is concluded that project management interventions should prioritize strengthening the participatory planning system and standardizing daily communication to improve excavation productivity. These results provide practical guidance for stakeholders to accelerate construction and strengthen the Lean Construction implementation in large-scale water resource infrastructure development.

Keywords:

lean construction, dam excavation, dam engineering, workflow stability, Last Planner System, daily huddle meetings, relative importance index, construction productivity

References

L. W. Mays, Water Resources Engineering, 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ, USA: John Wiley & Sons, 2020.

United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), Design of Gravity Dams. Denver, CO, USA: Government Printing Office, 1976.

Y. Zhang, W. Lu, M. Chen, P. Yan, and Y. Hu, "Dam Foundation Excavation Techniques in China: A Review," Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, vol. 5, no. 6, pp. 460–467, Dec. 2013.

P. K. Palei et al., "Effective Implementation of Controlled Blasting Methodology During Excavation of Hard Rock in the Close Proximity of Earthen Dam and Tunnel," Defence Technology, vol. 48, pp. 306–316, Jun. 2025.

A. L. Hakim, R. Arifuddin, and M. A. Abdurrahman, "Development of Barriers and Strategies for Implementing Lean Supply Chain Management in Coastal Wall Construction Projects," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 31733–31740, Feb. 2026.

R. Arifuddin, R. U. Latief, S. Hamzah, D. Pangemanan, E. Aprianti, and R. Fadlillah, "The Analysis of Sustainable Construction Strategies on the Likupang Special Economic Zone (SEZ)," Civil Engineering Journal, vol. 9, pp. 83–93, Apr. 2023.

T. O. Malvik, "TRIZ As an Innovation Tool for Opportunity Management and Lean Construction," Procedia Computer Science, vol. 256, pp. 1459–1466, 2025.

T. W. Alvarenga, E. N. da Silva, and L. C. B. de Brito Mello, "BIM and Lean Construction: The Evolution Obstacle in the Brazilian Civil Construction Industry," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 7, no. 5, pp. 1904–1908, Oct. 2017.

A. Ibrahim, T. Zayed, and Z. Lafhaj, "Trends and Gaps in Lean Construction Practices for Construction of Megaprojects: A Critical Review," Alexandria Engineering Journal, vol. 118, pp. 174–193, Apr. 2025.

E. Hyarat, L. Montalbán-Domingo, and E. Pellicer, "Framework for Implementing Lean Construction: From Concept Knowledge to Continuous Training," Heliyon, vol. 12, no. 1, Jan. 2026, Art. no. e44340.

P. Negi et al., "Perception of Lean Construction Implementation Barriers in the Indian Prefabrication Sector," Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 16, Aug. 2024, Art. no. e36458.

A. Parameswaran, V. Wy. Tam, L. Geng, and K. N. Le, "Application of Lean Techniques and Tools in the Precast Concrete Manufacturing Process for Sustainable Construction: A Critical Review," Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 503, Apr. 2025, Art. no. 145444.

O. Salem, J. Solomon, A. Genaidy, and I. Minkarah, "Lean Construction: From Theory to Implementation," Journal of Management in Engineering, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 168–175, Oct. 2006.

Sugiyono, Quantitative, Qualitative, and R&D Research Methods. Bandung, Indonesia: Alfabeta, 2021.

O. P. Akadiri, "Development of a Multi-Criteria Approach for the Selection of Sustainable Materials for Building Projects," Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK, 2011.

E. N. Shaqour, M. S. Azzam, and R. T. N. Almashhour, "Statistical Investigation of Hindrances of Applying Lean in Egyptian Constructions," Ain Shams Engineering Journal, vol. 16, no. 5, Apr. 2025, Art. no. 103349.

H. G. Ballard, "The Last Planner System of Production Control," Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK, 2000.

T. Poggio and D. Beymer, "Learning to See," IEEE Spectrum, vol. 33, no. 5, pp. 60–69, May 1996.

J. K. Liker, Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer, 1st ed. New York City, NY, USA: McGraw-Hill Education, 2013.

G. T. Doran, "There's a SMART Way to Write Management's Goals and Objectives," Journal of Management Review, vol. 70, pp. 35–36, 1981.

M. Imai, The Key to Japan's Competitive Success. New York City, NY, USA: McGraw-Hill Education, 1986.