Whether you are planning to or currently use Energy Star, NAHB National Green Building Standards, DOE’s Builder Challenge or another program, the key is conducting a gap analysis on your existing materials and methods of construction; selecting a program; planning transition; implementation; and sustaining (improving your performance in) the program. Quality tools and techniques can help you do this and ensure that all aspects of design and construction processes are conducted effectively and continually improved. In fact Energy Star has a seven improvement step process which is very similar to PDCA! Green Building is about improving and continuing to improve the standard of your homes and having performance data to allow you to articulate that performance to potential customers, now that’s a powerful marketing tool.
NEXT TIME, A3 Improvement Tool
About the Author
Denis Leonard
Denis Leonard has a degree in construction engineering, and an M.B.A. and a Ph.D. in quality management. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Quality and has been an Examiner for the Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners, a Judge on the International Team Excellence Competition, and a Lead Judge on the National Housing Quality Award. He has experience as a quality manager in the home building industry as well as construction engineer, site manager, and in training, auditing, and consulting with expertise in strategic and operational quality improvement initiatives. His work has achieved national quality, environmental, and safety management awards for clients.