Analyzing implementation of lean production control with the Viable System Model

Implementing lean production control systems can pose difficulties at several levels. To overcome incomplete implementation, e.g., caused by unclear description of control structures in an organization, this paper presents an approach for analyzing lean implementations that uses functional abstraction of the control system combined with the Viable System Model (ViSM¹) from Management Cybernetics. To illustrate the application of this approach, the control system embedded in the Last Planner® System (LPS) that is used in lean construction is described. The LPS´s control structures are identified and mapped to ViSM functions to show the applicability of the cybernetic approach. A case study then illustrates the use of these structures in a LPS implementation. Based on this promising start, the paper concludes with suggestions for further research.