Why Lean Matters in Today’s Construction Landscape
– April Parham, Quality Manager, Alston Construction Automation Integration Management Team
In traditional construction settings, quality is often treated as a final checkpoint. But in Lean quality management, quality is built into every step of the process—driven by collaboration, continuous feedback, and a commitment to reducing waste. For Alston Construction and AIM, this has become a foundational mindset across every type of project we take on, whether it’s a ground-up warehouse or a complex automation retrofit in a live facility.
At its core, Lean is about delivering value—not just results. It’s a principle we live by, and one we’ve fully embedded into our internal QA/QC processes.
Our Approach to Quality: Built-In, Not Inspected In
Here’s how we bring Lean quality to life across our teams:
• Early Engagement: Quality planning starts at day one. Our QA team is part of preconstruction conversations, helping identify potential risks and opportunities before boots ever hit the ground.
• Defined Metrics and Expectations: We collaborate with project teams to define quality standards early and often—so there are no surprises later.
• In-Process Reviews and First Work Inspections: By focusing on quality from the start of each activity, we reduce rework and ensure consistency across subcontractors and trades.
• Daily Huddles and Real-Time Adjustments: In line with Agile principles, we use daily check-ins to catch issues early, adjust quickly, and share knowledge across teams.
• Project-Specific QA/QC Plans: Every project—especially those with high-complexity scopes like robotics, MHE systems, and food-grade refrigeration—receives a tailored QA/QC plan aligned with both our internal standards and the client’s expectations.
We don’t wait for problems to arise—we anticipate them. And when challenges do occur, our teams are trained to think proactively and act collaboratively.
One Team, One Standard—Across All Divisions
While AIM/a+ operates as a specialty group within Alston Construction, we uphold and extend the same quality expectations that guide the broader Alston team. That means our clients benefit from a seamless integration of deep expertise and a unified approach to project excellence.
Whether you’re working with us on an automation project, a cold storage facility, or a new distribution center, you’ll experience the same unwavering commitment to:
• Clear communication
• Proactive problem-solving
• Site cleanliness and professionalism
• A zero-punch mentality
Let’s Build Better—Together
We believe quality is a journey, not a destination. And we’re continually evolving our processes to stay ahead of industry trends—so we can bring the best possible value to our clients.