LEAN DESIGN DISCOURSE:
SEARCHING FOR STRUCTURE AND ELIMINATING WASTE IN DESIGN

Approaches to design may be basically considered in relation to two opposing ends. In the one end, design is viewed purely as an intuitive task and the designer is portrayed as an “artist”, a gifted person who produces designs somehow mystically. In the other end, design is viewed as a totally explicable activity. The proponents of this idea attempt to understand design through scientific methods and mathematical techniques. Both of these perspectives have their own theoretical backgrounds and of course, many interesting methodologies may be positioned in between. This paper takes a systematic approach to design management and discusses the author’s research within the framework of lean design theory. Lean design theory assumes that there is an underlying structure of design processes and non-value adding activities (waste) in design may be minimized through analysis and optimization. Since 1990s, lean design research in the construction industry has been proliferated through organizations such as Lean Construction Institute and International Group for Lean Construction. Moreover, lean design techniques have been increasingly adopted by the participants of building design process. This paper aims to present a critical analysis of two basic concepts of lean design: structure and waste. First, the idea of a “structure” of design processes is explored and the methods for identifying such structure are briefly reviewed. Then, the relevance of the term “waste” in design and the means for avoiding design waste are discussed. The argument is supported by recent research and examples from real-life practices. Finally, considering the developments in the design field, prospects are made for the future of lean design.