Comparative analysis between integrated project delivery and lean project delivery

Abstract

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Lean Project Delivery (LPD) are innovative approaches that are capturing the attention of the construction industry. However, there is a confusion about the definitions of these approaches and how they integrate a project delivery process. This confusion negatively affects the learning process, which could create a barrier to advancing them. Based on a structured literature review and two case illustrations, this study aims to clarify the similarities and differences between IPD and LPD. This paper presents a comparative analysis of these approaches through a structured analysis of the project organizations, contractual relationships, and operational systems. The results showed that the operational system is perhaps the most relevant difference between these approaches for their definition as a project delivery system. The core of both approaches is to encourage the use of integrated project organizations, relational contracting, and integrated process as mechanisms to integrate a project delivery system.