Lean Construction (LC) has demonstrated its capability to improve efficiency and reduce waste in construction projects in many countries. However, its application in developing countries, such as Egypt, is still in the early stages and remains largely underexplored. This gap limits the potential to harness the benefits that LC can provide for improving project outcomes. Therefore, this study aims to assess LC practices in the Egyptian construction industry by employing a mixed-methodology approach that integrates systematic review, interviews, and questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Fuzzy Relative Importance Index (RII). The findings revealed that the most critical waste types were "Defects" and "Waiting," with RIIs of 0.769 and 0.740, respectively. "Financing difficulties" and "Frequent change orders" were the main contributors to waste, scoring RIIs of 0.857 and 0.819, respectively. Among the lean techniques, "Reviewing design drawings early" (RII = 0.841) and "Key performance indicators" (RII = 0.833) were rated as the most effective tools. Key challenges to adopt lean principles included "Resistance to change" (RII = 0.756) and "Limited qualification of subcontractors in lean practices" (RII = 0.755). This research provides valuable insights into the barriers and opportunities for LC adoption in Egypt, contributing to the broader literature on LC practices in developing countries. In addition, this study provides five key strategies that can help the government and construction sector in Egypt to facilitate and enhance the adoption of lean construction and harness its benefits. While the findings offer meaningful insights into lean construction practices within the studied group, further research involving a larger and more diverse sample is recommended to support broader generalization and industry-wide implementation.
Ibrahim et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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