Photo courtesy of Turner Construction Co. Turner has used technology to help streamline its project processes and manage data more effectively on its construction sites.

Turner launched a companywide initiative to apply lean philosophy to its projects with the help of barcode readers, radio frequency identification and quick response codes.

This technology-infused lean approach has helped Turner streamline its project processes and manage data more effectively on its construction sites. Information such as room numbers are associated with items such as security, safety conditions, finish schedules, electrical schedules, medical equipment, product data, quality assurance/quality control, ongoing production, potential installation issues, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment.

An example of the application of these methodologies is Turner’s work at Nintendo of America. As equipment was delivered to an off-site staging area, UPC barcodes tied pieces of equipment to their respective submittals.

With the project staging area far from the construction site, Turner used c.docs, a proprietary Web-based repository of project information, on a tablet with the barcode system. This made it easy for job staff to verify that the project team was handling the right equipment.