Suggestions for takt production subcontract clauses – a conceptual study

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to provide a foundation for the development of subcontracts that suit takt production in construction. Design/methodology/approach This is a non-empiric conceptual study, which integrates takt production and general construction literature into new proposals for subcontract clauses suitable for takt production in construction. This study uses literature reviews, from which proposals regarding takt production viable subcontract clauses are conducted via logical reasoning. Findings A total of 13 proposals for takt production applicable subcontracts are provided in this study. The proposals emphasize detailed and collaborative planning, suitable payment methods and flexibility for takt plan modification. Originality/value Previous takt literature has not properly addressed the development of subcontracts for takt production, despite regular attempts to use subcontracting in takt production. This study aims to aid main contractors to create fair and suitable subcontracts, so that adhering to takt schedules could be more viable in practice. This study also acts as a foundation for further empirical studies regarding the subject.

Indicators for Takt Production Performance Assessment—A Conceptual Study

“…Furthermore, locations may not even be available for working ahead of schedule if other trades are handing over locations at a standardized takted rate. In practice, however, such prohibition may lead to a risk of higher tenders or poor subcontractor income [46]. Further research should be undertaken on whether proceeding ahead of the takt schedule is to be avoided or not.…”

“…Regulating the handover of locations to trades steers the trades to comply with the takt schedule. In addition, subcontracts steer tasks to be completed according to the takt schedule [46]. Keskiniva et al [47] highlighted that a takt schedule should, explicitly and in detail, visualize the order of completion of work packages and individual work steps.…”

Handoffs Between Takt Train Wagons: a Systematic Literature Review

“…While conducting an extensive bibliographic analysis is outside the scope of this paper, we made some overarching observations regarding who has written anything about takt handoffs. Although there are many different contributors from around the world to the general field of takt, the papers we identified regarding handoffs cluster primarily around three international communities: The American -affiliated with Berkley (Frandson et al, 2013(Frandson et al, , 2014Frandson et al, 2015;Frandson & Tommelein, 2016;Linnik et al, 2013;Salem et al, 2018;Tommelein & Emdanat, 2022), the Finnish -affiliated with Aalto University (Keskiniva et al, 2021(Keskiniva et al, , 2022Kujansuu et al, 2020;Lehtovaara et al, 2021Lehtovaara et al, , 2022 and the Norwegian affiliated with NTNU (Dahlberg & Drevland, 2021;Gardarsson et al, 2019;Haugen et al, 2020). Interestingly, while the German community behind the Takt Planning and Takt Control approach has been prolific in producing papers on takt, none of their publications directly concerned the handoff of takt areas.…”

“…Linnik et al (2013) argue that the takt plan should specify all the activities that must be done before the handoff. Keskiniva et al (2022) investigated how contracts between main contractors and subcontractors could be adapted to takt production. One finding was that the subcontractors were incentivized not to finish in the takt areas before handoff because of how their work was compensated.…”

“…Doing so comes at the expense of what is not measured -for example, quality or whether the area handed off is 100% finished. According to Keskiniva et al(2022), such measurement and compensation schemes encourage subcontractors to leave small tasks unfinished in the work areas rather than finishing up in full before moving on An alternative approach is to divide payments based on milestones, as proposed by Keskiniva et al (2022). Under this method, subcontractors receive a percentage of the contract amount upon reaching predetermined milestones, encouraging them to complete work quickly and providing easy progress monitoring.…”