The Lean Builder Book Reviews & Awards

If you are sick and tired of the traditional way of doing things in the construction industry and would like to baby step into this thing called Lean Construction, then you MUST read The Lean Builder. As a professor at Clemson University, this book has shifted the way I teach Last Planner System to my students. As a practitioner at two different multi-billion-dollar general contractors, I can tell you that the principles in this book work on any sized project. I have the upmost admiration for Joe and Keyan and their efforts to craft a better construction industry for everyone. What are you waiting for? Go get this book TODAY!

The Lean Builder is a fantastic resource for individuals and teams looking for actionable advice on Lean Construction. It offers a realistic idea of what to expect and breaks the process down into relatable, straightforward steps. This book has filled a very important gap between academic research and instruction and daily realities on site

The Lean Builder is an amazing book written by amazing and humble people. Becoming a Lean builder requires a mindset shift — a shift to caring about people, working with a team, and elevating the role of our foremen and craft workers in the field. The Lean Builder is required reading at Elevate Construction for all our people and matches nicely with all other systems required to run remarkable projects. If you want a foundation to build your next Lean project, The Lean Builder is for you. Being a Lean builder is ultimately about building people. Join Keyan and Joe as they inspire the next generation to build the people that will build our world.

Texas A&M is somewhat isolated geographically so I am often unable to invite my students to visit an actual job site where lean is being implemented. Because of this, I have focused during the past few years on helping them build an understanding of lean theory. Although I have always shown photos of implementation of actual lean projects in class, the book is giving them a realistic understanding of the underpinnings of the types of management struggles they will likely face after graduation—and how lean tools can help them solve these challenges, even as young project managers.

One of my more experienced students immediately wrote me an email after having read the book, and excitedly thanked me for assigning the book in class. Thanks for making the book happen. It’s a great gift for new project managers—as well as for college-level educators of lean.

I have known Keyan for some time and have always appreciated his passion for the construction industry, especially for Lean construction. When The Lean Builder came out, I had the opportunity to connect with Joe and was equally impressed with his passion for Lean. I commend both Joe and Keyan for their endeavor at bringing critical concepts of Lean Construction within the grasp of everyone.

This book is far away from the technical jargons that are common in most literature and explains complex concepts and processes through a story telling manner. I am using part of the book in my Lean course to explain daily huddles and pull planning to my students. I believe The Lean Builder can make a beginner curious about Lean, and those who are already using Lean can use it as a tool to spread the knowledge among others.

Written for those who roll up their sleeves and do the work as craft professionals, foremen, and superintendents, The Lean Builder is a must-read for anyone new to Lean Construction, and certainly those professionals working in the field.

I hope The Lean Builder inspires current and future builders by empowering the people closest to the work to improve the work.

Your job is simple: read this book. Then, get others to read this book. Together, we will transform the industry!

The Lean Builder is something worthy of our time—at least, for those builders who are fed up with the B.S. of our traditional construction methods.

This book’s easy to read and rich content has emphasized the real value of Lean application for the builder. A must-read for anyone who wants to take their implementation game to the next level.

The openness and transparency that went into the content of the book highlights the authors’ drive for a better industry!

The Lean Builder puts the focus where I believe Lean practices have the biggest impact: with the men and women who do the work.

This is a book that should be read by anybody who sees Lean as too challenging to attempt, and even those who have tried it before and failed. It will correct misperceptions and inspire people to try something new. Hand it out to your project teams and watch the light bulbs come on!

As a guy who loves to spend time in trailers with the real teams, I can’t wait to share this work with the dedicated men and women who actually build our projects. Thank you, Joe and Keyan!