Dragages Singapore optimizes its production with a Lean approach
Onepoint group supports Dragages Singapore with a Lean approach centered on people to foster communication and continuous improvement in the assembly process
Membre du groupe Bouygues Construction, Dragages Singapore est une société d’ingénierie et de construction de premier plan, spécialisée dans les bâtiments résidentiels et commerciaux. L’entreprise est pionnière en matière de construction modulaire, ou PPVC (Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction) ce qui lui permet de construire des tours de grande hauteur à un rythme très rapide.
- Le processus de construction PPVC comporte trois phases distinctes réalisées sur trois sites différents : l’un en Malaisie, où sont construits les carcasses en béton et tous les éléments préfabriqués des modules ; un second à Singapour, où les modules sont assemblés pour former une unité, dotés de tous les équipements nécessaires ; puis le chantier de construction, où les différentes unités sont assemblées et empilées pour créer le bâtiment.
Philippe Gesret a rejoint Dragages Singapour en janvier 2020 en tant que directeur de la construction modulaire. Alors que Philippe compare l’activité PPVC à la ” fabrication de legos “, il pense que le défi n’est pas seulement d’assembler tous les blocs, mais aussi de le faire de manière efficace. Philippe ajoute : “Dès que l’on parle d’efficacité, c’est synonyme de Lean. Mon défi était de reconnecter les gens sur les trois sites, afin qu’ils communiquent mieux. Le Lean a l’avantage de créer une équipe. Les gens peuvent parler et résoudre de nombreux problèmes en partageant simplement leurs préoccupations.”
Onepoint group’s Lean approach, a human-centered approach
Onepoint’s presence in Singapore and our human-centered global approach were crucial when Philippe Gesret had to choose a partner to help implement Lean practices.
I appreciated that Onepoint group considered all the components as a whole and not as isolated elements. Additionally, before addressing the digital aspects, your starting point was the human element, and for me, the most important part of Lean is the collaborative approach. I felt that you knew exactly what you were talking about.
A tailored approach
Our onepoint team began by evaluating the three sites to assess their maturity in Lean practices and develop their Lean roadmap with the teams. We then organized workshops at each site to introduce the teams to Lean principles and discuss how they could be applied in their daily construction work.
For example, the first major Lean project launched was to establish a 30-minute daily performance management meeting at each site to monitor and drive performance, as well as a multi-site coordination meeting. Large touchscreens were installed at each site to facilitate these meetings through visual management.
Onepoint group provided daily observations and coaching for more than 4 months to support the team and ensure the transfer of skills internally. This same approach was applied when introducing the Value Stream Mapping tool at one of the sites.
Throughout this project, the team held monthly meetings with Philippe to review progress, address any issues, and align on the next steps to take. As the director, this was very important for Philippe as he did not participate in the workshops. Therefore, it was essential that he was “kept informed of the path” and what the mapping involved.
Additionally, to ensure the sustainability of the approach, Lean champions were identified and coached by the Onepoint team. Furthermore, the program was given a visual identity with the name “ModuLean,” a logo, and a newsletter.
The program goes beyond key performance indicators by giving a voice to the project’s stakeholders.
In the second newsletter, a construction engineer from Malaysia shared his experience. This helps keep everyone connected.
One year of Lean
After nearly a year of applying Lean practices, the benefits are tangible.
In Malaysia, where the frames are made, the goals had to be revised because they were exceeded every day for four weeks. This was thanks to the daily review of key performance indicators, whereas previously only the monthly reporting was followed. Philippe highlights that this efficiency gain has strengthened Dragages’ confidence in its ability to handle new PPVC projects, which directly impacts the company’s growth.
I wish to continue expanding Lean practices to the two sites in Singapore with the help of Onepoint group.
Thanks to its human-centered consulting approach, Onepoint group enabled Dragages to increase the efficiency of its PPVC process, allowing the company to embark on new modular construction projects.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Onepoint is “open-mindedness”. We had an open dialogue, and you opened our minds while considering my team’s needs.
This project was led by the APAC teams of Onepoint group.