The Last Planner® System
The Last Planner® System is a collaborative, commitment-based planning and production control system designed to improve workflow reliability and project delivery in construction and related industries. It involves those closest to the work—the “last planners”—in both planning and executing tasks, ensuring a realistic and coordinated approach to managing daily activities.
This system focuses on progressively detailed planning: as work approaches execution, plans become more refined and precise. By doing so, the Last Planner® System helps create unobstructed, reliable workflows, enabling projects to progress smoothly and predictably.
Its all about making the workflow unobstructed.
Who Are the Last Planners on Site?
The “last planners” are the key individuals who make task-level commitments and coordinate work at the field level. This includes:
Foremen
Supervisors
Superintendents
Project Managers
Design Managers
Trade Leads
Why Use the Last Planner® System?
The core objective of the Last Planner® System is to make work flow—smoothly, collaboratively, and without interruptions. It creates a structured environment where all teams involved in the project align their efforts, coordinate activities, and support one another to:
Meet project delivery schedules
Control and reduce project costs
Deliver superior quality outcomes
Ensure a strong focus on Health & Safety (H&S)
Foster a culture of collaboration and accountability
Benefits of Using the Last Planner® System
Respect for People
Collaboration across teams fosters mutual respect, encouraging open communication and shared problem-solving among all stakeholders.
Waste Reduction
Tasks are more likely to be done right the first time, minimizing rework, idle time, and material waste—ultimately improving resource efficiency.
Improved Workflow
Detailed, just-in-time planning ensures smoother handoffs and uninterrupted progress, keeping the project moving at a steady pace.
Value Creation
By focusing efforts on what truly matters to the client, more time and resources are allocated to value-adding activities boosting both quality and satisfaction.
Continuous Improvement
The system promotes a feedback loop, where teams learn from plan failures and breakdowns, enabling them to refine future planning cycles.
System Optimisation
As collaboration and learning improve, the entire project delivery system becomes more efficient, resulting in better performance outcomes and cost savings.
FAQ
Last Planner System (LPS) training teaches construction professionals how to implement a collaborative, commitment-based planning methodology that replaces traditional push-scheduling. It is designed for site managers, project managers, foremen, planners, and subcontractor leads who want to reduce waste, improve workflow reliability, and increase Percent Plan Complete (PPC) on construction projects.
A comprehensive LPS course covers the five planning conversations: Master Scheduling, Phase Scheduling, Lookahead Planning, Weekly Work Planning, and Learning from PPC data. Participants learn how to run collaborative planning sessions, identify and remove constraints, make reliable commitments, and build a culture of continuous improvement on site
LPS training typically ranges from a half-day awareness workshop to a 1 day practitioner programme, depending on the depth required. Many providers also offer on-site coaching alongside classroom learning so teams can implement LPS in real time on their live projects.
Teams trained in LPS consistently report higher PPC scores (typically 70–85%+), fewer programme delays, reduced rework, improved subcontractor engagement, and better on-site morale. The system creates a shared language for planning that aligns all trades toward reliable workflow and on-time handovers.
Yes. The Last Planner System is a registered trademark of the Lean Construction Institute (LCI) and is widely recognised as the global standard for collaborative construction planning. Many training providers deliver LPS courses aligned with LCI principles, and participants can pursue further accreditation through the LCI or associated bodies.
Absolutely. On-site LPS training is often the most effective format because participants can apply planning tools to their actual live project during the session. Trainers facilitate real lookahead sessions, constraint logs, and weekly planning meetings with the project team, creating immediate and lasting impact.