The International Group For Lean Construction (IGLC)

Founded in 1993, the IGLC (www.iglc.net) is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead. Our goal is to better meet customer demands and dramatically improve the AEC process as well as product.To achieve this, we are developing new principles and methods for product development and production management specifically tailored to the AEC industry, but akin to those defining lean production that proved to be so successful in manufacturing. The distinguishing trait of this Group is its emphasis on theory. We view that the lack of an explicit theory of construction has been a major bottleneck for the progress in the AEC field. Conversely, we assume that the clarification of the theoretical foundation of construction, along with principles and methods emanating from the new foundation, would be the most effective means for the renewal of the AEC industry. Annual conferences are the main activity of the IGLC, and their locations rotate amongst the continents. Conference organization is managed independently by a group of volunteers in each sponsoring country.