Aspen Lean Project System (ALPS)

A proven, structured system using lean principles, processes and practices to enhance the delivery performance of construction and infrastructure projects.

Construction and Infrastructure companies are under relentless pressure to successfully deliver projects with ever tighter margins, rising costs, labour shortages, programme delays and increasing client expectations. These factors are making delivery more demanding and unpredictable than ever.

Too often, projects suffer from fragmented planning, reactive decision-making, poor workflow visibility and inefficient coordination across the supply chain. The result is familiar: missed milestones, budget overruns, wasted resource, reduced productivity and inconsistent project outcomes.

The Aspen Lean Project System (ALPS) transforms the way complex construction and infrastructure projects are managed by providing a practical framework through structured planning, visual performance management, collaborative problem-solving and continuous improvement. Developed by Aspen Global , ALPS is an advanced, structured lean implementation system centred around Collaborative Planning and Project Management developed to stabilise the entire project lifecycle from pre-construction through to delivery.

By embedding proven lean principles, processes and behaviours into day-to-day project execution, ALPS helps organisations reduce waste and delays , improve workflow reliability, accelerate delivery and create a culture of continuous improvement. The result is better business outcomes: more predictable projects with greater programme certainty, improved productivity leading to stronger commercial performance and improved client satisfaction.

“We’ve seen that all parties involved in the renovation now better align with the immediate, medium and long term project objectives. Processes are smoother and collaboration is much greater than it used to be, we can now plan the remaining works with more predictably”. —Neil – Chief of Design and Construction

With over 60 years of operational excellence expertise and a track record of achieving sustainable change and improved performance across many domestic and international construction and infrastructure projects the highly experienced Aspen Global team will work with your teams to move them beyond firefighting and towards consistently high-performing project delivery.

The Aspen Lean Project System follows a proven Deployment and Operation Roadmap when supporting its clients through their Project Kick-off , Mobilisation and Delivery phases while simultaneously developing a Learn and Improve Culture.

Project Kick-Off :  How do we want to deliver this project ? : The team works during this phase on collectively defining the following:

  • Project vision & objectives
  • Establish a ‘One-team’ organisation
  • Collaborative design , Costing & Planning
  • Gateway Planning ‘ How we intend to Deliver together’
  • Define Lean strategies for Design Delivery & Construction (e.g. Traditional, BIM, Off-site, MMC, etc.)
  • Define Lean strategies for Supply Chain

Mobilisation :  How to Hit the Ground Running and establish Good Processes : The conditions for success are established through :

  • Developing a Collaborative Target Programme ( CTP)  defining best methodology to deliver first phase of the project
  • Identifying Critical Path and Focus areas for improvement
  • Identifying DRAMPPS readiness needs and developing a Plan to Protect the CTP
  • Establishing the Visual Management Systems to support delivery of the CTP
  • Defining best methods through Desktop studies and Mock-Ups
  • Standardising best Methods for training
  • Ensuring processes for certainty of Supply

Delivery : Operate systems that are designed to support the team delivering the project in line with clearly understood project vision and objectives : The key elements that are established are :

  • Collaborative Planning and Project Management systems
    • Monthly and Weekly Planning Sessions developing and adapting the 12 week and 4 week look ahead plan
    • Short Term Planning and Control Processes
      • Daily Management ‘ Start and end of shift reviews
      • Plan vs Actual Performance tracking – Weekly Production Review
  • Agreed ‘Line of Site’ Project Governance Structure with Issues Escalation Process
  • Continuous Improvement Activities driving Safety , Quality , Cost and Delivery improvement
    • 5S , Gemba Walks , Production Loss Analysis , Work Study , Structured Problem solving approach
collaborative planning session involving contrcators , Subcontractor Trades and consultants
12 Week Look ahead Planning Sessions – Site Team Collaboratively develop ‘Best’ Target Programme improving flow and identifying and mitigating future delivery risks
Gemba Walks Project team and subcontractors discuss and align on future works on site identifying potential issues incl : design or methodolgy

 

When we introduced the Lean methodology with the assistance of the Aspen team and the concept of visual management of the project, it allowed everyone involved in the project to see the concrete impact of changes on the production schedule and specifically the impact of their role in the process – Patrick – Senior Project Manager, Design and Construction

ALPS is endorsed by Constructing Excellence International and offers training programmes for Lean Construction Practitioners accredited by the University Of Cardiff.

“I am a big proponent of Lean methodology. It’s a “everything at a glance” visual representation of multiple, interdependent tasks involving different teams is very powerful. Once one knows the key — what colors are which team, how to show a task is started, when is something going to happen, etc, it’s easy to quickly understand the state of a complex project. It adapts easily, allowing new elements to be integrated at any point in the process while maintaining visibility on completed tasks and changes along the way. I highly recommend it when working on complex, time-bound projects with multiple actors.” — K – Director of Administration

If you wish to contact us to discuss your project’s needs simply click below :

Our Clients
Ashgal
Balfour Beatty
Capita
Caterpillar
Costain
Cross Rail
Currie & Brown
Hampshire County Council
Iveco
Network Rail
Newholland Construction
Owens Corning
Oxford City Council
Premier Inn
RAF
Severn Trent Water
Skanska
Speller metcalfe
Vauxhall