1. b.2.c Lean Construction Institute
Creating a Community of Practice for Colorado
Leader Charles Rountree
InsideOut Consulting, Inc. / Civil Technology
Inc.
Background
In 2007 Charles Rountree started to investigate this “thing called lean” and quickly discovered the
Lean Construction Institute. LCI is an international organization that was founded by Greg Howell and
Glenn Ballard which focuses on lean in the design and construction industry. Charles befriended Greg
and started conversations about starting a Colorado Community of Practice (CoP) – the institute’s
version of a “local chapter”.
Charles gathered together other practitioners that were interested in improving the effectiveness of
their work processes. Together they created an A3 strategy for the CoP along with a “Choosing by
Advantages” sound decision making matrix.
 Established the Conditions of Satisfaction (CoS) with LCI Central.
 Presented the LCI CoS to a existing list of potential practitioners received from the AGC/C.
 10 core group members used the Choosing-By-Advantages (CBA) lean tool to come to a group
consensus about the LCI Cos.
The Lean Strategic Approach Implemented
Today the CoP in CO has over 500 interested lean practitioners in the state of Colorado.
 Continue to create one mind with the core group by doing a Study Action Team (SAT) on the Toyota Way
book. Three lean questions are asked and answered by participants to enhance learning.
 Conducting every other month internal & external customer invitations for interested people to join a
Lean Tool Gathering, in which a different lean tool is discussed, demonstrated, and participants are
encouraged to implement in their work place, if applicable.
 Conducting every other month internal & external customer invitations for interested people to join a
Coffee & Collaboration Conversation, in which a white paper is discussed for immediate learning by all.
 Inviting lean experts to present to the CoP events several times a year. (Note: Kristin Hill has been a
presenter)
Photos of various CoP learning
events and a small value stream
study