Benefits and Limitations of Lean Tools in the Building Design Process: A Functional and Comparative Analysis

The design phase is critical in construction projects, as it directly impacts cost, quality, and execution efficiency. However, it suffers from structural deficiencies in communication, coordination, and early problem detection, leading to delays, cost overruns, and inefficiencies. While Lean Construction has been widely applied in execution phases, its adoption in design remains fragmented, lacking a clear framework for identifying and evaluating Lean tools in this context. This study aims to identify, classify, and evaluate Lean tools applicable to the building design phase, emphasizing their functionalities, benefits, and limitations. A systematic literature review and expert validation process led to the identification of 16 Lean tools and 26 design-related functionalities. Among these tools, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Last Planner System (LPS), and Agile Design Management (ADM) were identified as the most impactful, collectively addressing 88% of design functionalities. Expert insights revealed that ADM improves task control and decision-making clarity, LPS reduces uncertainty and enhances workflow reliability, and BIM strengthens coordination and early conflict detection. This study provides a structured perspective on Lean tool integration during design, highlighting their benefits and limitations and offering guidance for their implementation. The findings contribute to improving design efficiency, minimizing waste, and fostering collaboration in construction projects.