Lean But Not Seen: Why Construction Still Misses the Mark

The EBFC Show

Most construction pros have heard of Lean — but far fewer truly understand it, and even fewer are putting it into practice. In this episode of The EBFC Show, we shine a light on why Lean is often misunderstood, overlooked, or completely invisible on job sites today. Join host Felipe Engineer-Manriquez and special guest Alan Boykiw as they unpack the roots of Lean, its relevance to construction, and what it really takes to make continuous improvement more than just a buzzword.

Why is Lean often misunderstood — or completely unseen — in today’s construction industry?

In this eye-opening episode of The EBFC Show, host Felipe Engineer-Manriquez sits down with Alan Boykiw, Senior Experience Architect at Nialli, to explore why Lean Construction isn’t as visible or widespread as it should be. Together, they unpack the history of Lean, bust some common myths, and share hard truths about where the industry stands on Lean adoption.

From the origins of the term “Lean” to the pressing need for change in how we plan, schedule, and collaborate — this episode gets real about what’s holding teams back, and more importantly, how to move forward.

🎯 What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why the term “Lean” was never meant to mean “less people”
• How Lean Construction evolved from Toyota’s foundational methods
• What the Last Planner System®, Takt Planning, and Scrum bring to the field
• Why most construction projects still struggle with waste, delays, and inefficiencies
• How fewer than 5% of projects truly implement Lean tools
• Why perfection isn’t required to get started — just a willingness to improve
• Free and simple ways teams can begin applying Lean right now

💡 Whether you’re just hearing about Lean for the first time or you’ve been practicing for years, this conversation offers powerful insights and practical steps for anyone ready to build smarter.

🔗 Tune in now and ask yourself: Is your team Lean… or just unseen?

💬 Want to deliver more value in your next project? This episode is a must-listen for builders, designers, owners, and anyone committed to improving construction culture.

Show Links:

Methods include the Last Planner System®, Takt Planning, and Scrum.

Leverage more free resources from the Lean Construction Blog, the EBFC Show, or the Lean Builder blog for help with foundations. Consider joining a local LCI Community of Practice to learn from peers.

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Connect with Alan Boykiw, Senior Experience Architect

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanboykiw/

Website: https://www.nialli.com/

Connect with Felipe via

Social media and Free Lean and Scrum Training Resources at https://thefelipe.bio.link

RSM Podia Course Link: https://store.theebfcshow.com/rsm

Subscribe to never miss new videos here: https://click.theebfcshow.com/youtube

Watch The EBFC Show Podcast https://click.theebfcshow.com/YouTube-Podcast

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Today's episode is sponsored by the Lean Construction Institute (LCI). This non-profit organization operates as a catalyst to transform the industry through Lean project delivery using an operating system centered on a common language, fundamental principles, and basic practices. Learn more at https://www.leanconstruction.org

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