The Butz Family of Companies is actively working on two large healthcare construction projects using the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) method. IPD is a method that emphasizes collaboration, trust, and shared risk and reward among project stakeholders. The key principles of IPD include early involvement of the project team, collaborative decision-making, and open communication. This method aims to align the goals and expectations of parties involved, leading to more efficient and effective project delivery. The IPD method incorporates Lean construction principles, which focus on finding ways to add value to the client with the least waste by creating flow efficiency.
Butz has established itself as a national leader in Lean construction practices, implementing Lean tools such as the Last Planner System® and Target Value Delivery on dozens of multi-million dollar commercial building projects. Lean techniques support the team as they work together to provide a superior project delivery for the client, ensuring that every project is executed with maximum efficiency and minimal waste. Our dedication to Lean construction is demonstrated by our active involvement in the Lean Construction Institute (LCI) Lean Congress events, held annually in major U.S. cities. Notably, Emily Lowe, Director of Lean for the Butz Family of Companies, has been a prominent speaker at these events, sharing insights and best practices with industry peers. Additionally, Butz is actively involved in the LCI Mid-Atlantic Community of Practice, promoting Lean construction principles in our region.
Integrated Project Delivery represents the pinnacle of Lean techniques in practice, bringing together all the Lean tools into one cohesive project. By integrating Lean tools into a single project, IPD ensures that every aspect of the construction process is optimized for efficiency and collaboration. “Successfully delivering an IPD project starts with assembling the right team,” says Emily Lowe, LCI-CPC, LCI-CPD-SME, CM-Lean, Director of Lean for the Butz Family of Companies. “Our area has hundreds of companies that are capable of constructing a building, but through our roundtable interviews, we’ve found IPD partners who understand the value of having team members who enhance the project experience by being collaborative and dedicated team players. These individuals are chosen for their innovative mindset, excellent communication skills, strong leadership, enthusiasm for teamwork, openness to new ideas, adaptability to change, and a readiness to have fun.”
Trade partners play a vital role in an IPD project as business collaborators, bringing their expertise and working closely with the core project team to achieve shared objectives. Shannon Campbell, MBA, Associate Vice President for Capital Projects at Penn Medicine, emphasizes, “The participation of trade partners in an IPD project is critical. Their involvement is essential not only during the design phase but also, if not more so, during the construction phase. The trade partners approach the work with a unique mindset within an IPD project, and solving issues in the field becomes significantly faster with the one-team mindset.”
IPD offers several benefits for the owner, including improved communication, a “project-first” mindset among all team members, enhanced innovation and quality of outcomes, and shared risks and rewards. By involving all stakeholders early in the project and fostering a collaborative environment, IPD can lead to better project outcomes and increased owner satisfaction. “I’m extremely impressed not only with the Butz team’s commitment to IPD and Lean construction principles, but the high-value results on recent projects. They’ve developed a deep team of Lean leaders that are genuinely passionate about driving value for their owner clients and building long-term relationships with all industry partners. As an IPD advocate over the course of my Lean journey since 2012, I’m confident in saying the Butz team ranks high among high performing GC partners not only in Pennsylvania, but on a national level,” notes John Bennett, Vice President of Facilities and Construction at Lehigh Valley Health Network.
At Butz, we prioritize continuous improvement on IPD and Lean through our quarterly trainings and employee development programs. These training sessions focus on enhancing our team’s proficiency in the IPD method, ensuring that we consistently apply the latest best practices and innovative techniques. During the sessions, teams focus on sharing these strategies to deliver exceptional service to our clients and maintain our commitment to excellence in every project. By fostering a culture of learning and collaboration, we empower our team members to stay at the forefront of industry advancements. Our unwavering commitment to Integrated Project Delivery and Lean construction principles not only set us apart as industry leaders but also ensures that every project is executed with the highest standards of efficiency, collaboration, and innovation.
The Butz Family of Companies, consisting of Alexander Building Construction, Alvin H. Butz ,and Shoemaker Construction Co., provides exceptional, comprehensive construction services, led by a commitment to customer satisfaction with special attention to safety, quality, and value. The firm possesses significant experience in the construction of healthcare facilities, colleges and universities, K-12 schools, manufacturing facilities, sports and entertainment venues, government buildings, parking garages, and mixed-use buildings.
