Reduction of Cycle Time by Implementing Value Stream Mapping
OIL & GAS

Reduction of Cycle Time by Implementing Value Stream Mapping

The construction industry suffers a great deal from time and cost overruns. One of the key causes for such uncertainties in projects is following traditional construction practices. This case study deals with one of URCC’s projects where the cycle time of the ‘I’ girder erection process has been reduced from 11 days to four by implementing an appropriate Lean approach, Value Stream Mapping (VSM).

Background

URCC was awarded the building of a prime facility for Verbio India Pvt Ltd in Punjab. Verbio is a German-based company that specialises in biogas production.

The project involved the construction of eight air and watertight gas fermenter silos. The silos are positioned parallel to each other, in which four silos are in Line 1, and four are in Line 2.

The biogas fermenter silos are generally larger in dimension; hence, erecting the precast structures gets tedious. The main issue the team faced in this case was the generation of ‘time waste’ while erecting and placing the I girder and planks on top of the eight RCC silos, which are about 20 m in height with a 26-m radius. However, the team tackled this challenge by implementing an effective Lean tool: VSM.

Need for study

  • To improve planning and proper allocation of resources
  • To reduce equipment idle time and increase productivity
  • Objective

    The main objective of this study is to reduce the cycle time of the erection process by implementing a Lean approach, VSM.

    Method

    After an in-depth study of the problem statement, the team selected an appropriate Lean tool, VSM. As it is a visualisation tool, it helped them to understand their current state at the initial stage of implementation. Post the implementation they managed to improve the overall process by developing future state maps.

    Methodology

  • Step 1: The existing critical path activity (erection of I girder) of the project was studied
  • Step 2: Preparation of the current state map of silos 1.1 and 1.2
  • Step 3: Analysis of current state map and identification of waste
  • Step 4: After eliminating the waste, a future state map was prepared for silos 3.1, 4.1, 1.2, 2.2, 3.2 & 4.2
  • Step 5: Implementation of the developed future state map
  • Step 6: Improvement in productivity was measured.
  • Result

    Implementing this effective Lean tool, VSM has helped the project team reduce the cycle time from 11 days to four; i.e. around 64 per cent of the project timeline has been reduced. This eventually resulted in the reduction of the total cost of the erection process from INR 694,200 to INR 222,800.

    About the author: Ragavi Prabaharan is Lean Coordinator at URC Construction.

    The construction industry suffers a great deal from time and cost overruns. One of the key causes for such uncertainties in projects is following traditional construction practices. This case study deals with one of URCC’s projects where the cycle time of the ‘I’ girder erection process has been reduced from 11 days to four by implementing an appropriate Lean approach, Value Stream Mapping (VSM). Background URCC was awarded the building of a prime facility for Verbio India Pvt Ltd in Punjab. Verbio is a German-based company that specialises in biogas production. The project involved the construction of eight air and watertight gas fermenter silos. The silos are positioned parallel to each other, in which four silos are in Line 1, and four are in Line 2. The biogas fermenter silos are generally larger in dimension; hence, erecting the precast structures gets tedious. The main issue the team faced in this case was the generation of ‘time waste’ while erecting and placing the I girder and planks on top of the eight RCC silos, which are about 20 m in height with a 26-m radius. However, the team tackled this challenge by implementing an effective Lean tool: VSM. Need for study To improve planning and proper allocation of resources To reduce equipment idle time and increase productivity Objective The main objective of this study is to reduce the cycle time of the erection process by implementing a Lean approach, VSM. Method After an in-depth study of the problem statement, the team selected an appropriate Lean tool, VSM. As it is a visualisation tool, it helped them to understand their current state at the initial stage of implementation. Post the implementation they managed to improve the overall process by developing future state maps. Methodology Step 1: The existing critical path activity (erection of I girder) of the project was studied Step 2: Preparation of the current state map of silos 1.1 and 1.2 Step 3: Analysis of current state map and identification of waste Step 4: After eliminating the waste, a future state map was prepared for silos 3.1, 4.1, 1.2, 2.2, 3.2 & 4.2 Step 5: Implementation of the developed future state map Step 6: Improvement in productivity was measured. Result Implementing this effective Lean tool, VSM has helped the project team reduce the cycle time from 11 days to four; i.e. around 64 per cent of the project timeline has been reduced. This eventually resulted in the reduction of the total cost of the erection process from INR 694,200 to INR 222,800. About the author: Ragavi Prabaharan is Lean Coordinator at URC Construction.

    Next Story
    Infrastructure Urban

    Meghalaya And Assam Hold Talks To End Transport Stoppages In Garo Hills

    Meghalaya and Assam have opened talks aimed at ending recent stoppages of commodity transport in the Garo Hills, officials said. The deputy chief minister, in charge of home affairs, reported that both state governments are coordinating to resolve disruptions and to restore normal movement of goods. He acknowledged that misunderstandings may have contributed to the incidents and that clarification between administrative units is under way. The discussions are intended to produce practical arrangements that will allow consignments to move without hindrance while respecting local procedures. The..

    Next Story
    Infrastructure Transport

    Kochi Metro Records 1.375 mn Rise In Passengers In FY26

    Kochi Metro recorded a marginal rise in ridership in the financial year 2025-26, carrying 1.375 mn more passengers than in the previous year. The service carried 36.8 million (mn) passengers in 2025-26 compared with 35.5 mn in 2024-25, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.9 per cent. The growth was described as distributed rather than concentrated in isolated spikes. A month-wise analysis shows steady gains across quarters. In the first quarter, ridership increased from 8.57 mn to 8.84 mn, while the second quarter rose from 9.13 mn to 9.51 mn. These trends indicated broad-based improvemen..

    Next Story
    Infrastructure Transport

    Ghaziabad Plans 16km Metro Link To Delhi Via Hindon Airport

    Ghaziabad authorities are pursuing a 16 km metro link to Delhi that will run via Hindon Airport, and a detailed project report is under way. The plan is intended to improve connectivity between Ghaziabad and the national capital and to provide an interchange with the airport. Officials said the project is being studied to assess alignments, station locations and cost estimates ahead of formal approvals and tendering. The announcement follows the inauguration of the Delhi?Faridabad metro extension, which will offer hassle free travel for around 0.2 mn daily commuters between the national capita..

    Advertisement

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter

    Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

    STAY CONNECTED

    Advertisement

    Advertisement

    Advertisement