Assignment 3 Grading Rubric: Highly Competent And Competent

Assignment 3 Grading Rubricnamehighly Competentcompetentminimally

Please develop a comprehensive Lean Process Map, specifically an “As-Is” Value Stream Map, illustrating the cradle-to-grave process for obtaining LEED Certification for a building. The map should encompass all relevant steps, roles, and activities involved from the initial owner decision to develop and seek LEED Certification, through to achieving the certification at Platinum Level.

The map must include the following components:

• Identify the starting point: owner decision to develop a facility and pursue LEED certification.
• Include the designation and role of the Design Team.
• Identify the Contractor(s) involved and their responsibilities.
• Assume the project will attain LEED Platinum certification.
• Map major participants and delineate their activities in separate swim lanes.
• Note: A project timeline is not necessary due to unspecified project specifics.

Upon completing the Value Stream Map, provide a narrative or list categorizing the activities identified into:

• Value-Added Activities
• Non-Value-Added Activities but Necessary
• Pure Non-Value-Added Activities

Additionally, analyze and explain the rationale behind classifying certain activities as Non-Value-Adding, addressing why they are necessary or undesirable in the process.

Paper For Above instruction

The pursuit of LEED certification for sustainable buildings has become an essential aspect of contemporary construction projects, with organizations striving to achieve recognized standards of environmental performance and resource efficiency. Developing a comprehensive, current-state Value Stream Map (VSM), from initial decision-making to the attainment of Platinum certification, provides invaluable insights into process efficiencies and areas of waste that can be targeted for improvement. This essay constructs a detailed “As-Is” VSM for LEED certification, encompassing all critical phases, stakeholders, and activities involved in this complex process.

Initial Owner Decision and Project Initiation

The process commences with the owner’s decision to develop a new building and pursue LEED certification, marking the critical starting point. This decision is often driven by organizational sustainability goals, regulatory requirements, or market positioning. From here, the owner collaborates with internal stakeholders and external consultants to outline project scope, environmental targets, and certification goals. This phase involves preliminary assessments, feasibility analyses, and establishing alignment among stakeholders about pursuing LEED at Platinum level.

Design Phase and Role of the Design Team

Once project initiation occurs, the Design Team is engaged to develop design concepts aligning with LEED prerequisites. The team, typically comprising architects, civil engineers, sustainability consultants, and LEED Accredited Professionals, reviews building orientation, material selection, water efficiency, energy systems, and indoor environmental quality. During this phase, the Design Team conducts preliminary LEED planning, collaborates with stakeholders to define sustainability strategies, and prepares the integration of LEED credit requirements into design documentation.

Contractor Selection and Construction Activities

Following design development, the project transitions into the pre-construction phase where contractors are selected through bidding or negotiated procurement. Contractors responsible for construction are integral to implementing sustainable practices, adhering to LEED standards, and facilitating necessary documentation. Their responsibilities include sourcing sustainable materials, executing energy-efficient construction, waste management, and ensuring quality control. The contractors work in close coordination with the design team, contractors, and sustainability consultants to ensure compliance with LEED prerequisites and credits.

Certification Process and Documentation

During construction, documentation of sustainable practices and performances is crucial. This involves tracking material deliveries, waste diversion, energy and water consumption, indoor air quality measures, and commissioning activities. The LEED accredited professionals oversee the compilation of certification documentation, including LEED checklists, supporting evidence, and third-party verifications. This step is critical as it validates compliance and builds the case for certification application.

Application Submission and Review

Once documentation is complete, the project team submits the LEED application to the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). This submission undergoes a review where GBCI evaluates compliance with LEED standards. During this phase, potential back-and-forth communications, additional clarifications, and response to review comments may occur, introducing waiting periods and iterative processes.

Certification Achievement and Post-Certification Activities

Upon successful review, the project is awarded LEED Platinum certification. Post-certification, the owner and facilities management team engage in ongoing monitoring, commissioning, and performance tracking to ensure that sustainability targets are maintained. Continuous improvement initiatives may involve commissioning adjustments, report updates, and stakeholder engagement to uphold certification standards and enhance building performance over time.

Activities Categorization and Rationale

Analyzing these activities reveals several that add value directly to the sustainability goals, such as designing energy-efficient systems, selecting sustainable materials, and commissioning building operations. These are quintessential value-added activities. Conversely, activities like extensive documentation and review revisions are necessary but do not directly enhance value but are essential for certification—their classification as Non-Value-Added but Necessary activities reflects this nuance. Some steps, like duplicate data entry or redundant approvals, could be eliminated or streamlined, marking them as Non-Value-Added activities, which primarily introduce waste and delays into the process.

Conclusion

The comprehensive mapping of the LEED certification process highlights critical areas for lean improvement by focusing on integrating activities efficiently, reducing waste, and fostering transparency. Identifying value-adding versus non-value-adding activities informs strategic initiatives to streamline future processes, reduce certification timelines, and optimize resource utilization, ultimately facilitating sustainable and high-quality building projects.

References

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