An Investigation of Lean Application Challenges in Construction Projects by Root Cause Analysis

Gzing Adil Mohammed; Dilshad Kakasor Jaf; Ahmet Oztas

doi:10.48084/etasr.14111

Authors

Gzing Adil Mohammed Civil Engineering Department, Salahaddin University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq | Oil, Gas and Energy Management Department, Charmo University, Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Dilshad Kakasor Jaf Civil Engineering Department, Tishk International, Erbil, Iraq | Civil Engineering Department, Salahaddin University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Ahmet Oztas Civil Engineering Department, Epoka University, Albania

Volume: 15 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 29919-29928 | December 2025 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.14111

Received: 16 August 2025 | Revised: 4 September 2025, 23 September 2025, 7 October 2025, and 14 October 2025 | Accepted: 18 October 2025 | Online: 26 October 2025

Corresponding author: Gzing Adil Mohammed

Abstract

The construction industry has increasingly embraced lean construction methodologies to improve productivity, minimize waste, and enhance stakeholder value. Despite this growing trend, several challenges hinder the successful adoption of Lean Principles in developing countries. Within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the implementation of lean construction remains constrained by multiple barriers that have not been systematically examined. In this study, the challenges associated with lean construction adoption are explored through the application of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) techniques, including fishbone diagrams, Pareto charts, and the "5 Whys" method. RCA provides a structured and analytical approach for identifying the fundamental causes of systemic issues and determining their relative significance. The identified challenges are classified into five main categories: organizational, cultural and human attitudes, technical, governmental and regulatory, and financial. A total of forty-one challenges were recorded, among which twenty-eight were recognized as key obstacles to lean implementation. Moreover, an innovative methodological approach is introduced by focusing on the underlying causes rather than superficial manifestations of lean construction barriers in developing contexts. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, project managers, and industry stakeholders, enabling the formulation of targeted strategies that address systemic obstacles, promote organizational transformation, and establish a conducive environment for the effective implementation of lean practices.

Keywords:

lean construction, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), pareto analysis, fishbone diagram, 5-Whys

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