AM Technical Solutions (AM) is committed to delivering on all three (cost, time, and quality) for our semiconductor customers. One of the solutions we utilize to support high-tech construction projects is LPS through the Touchplan real-time LPS, construction planning software platform.
Our company uses Touchplan as a Last Planner Solution to implement Lean practices for semiconductor facilities projects, including tool installation. The robust cloud-based platform enables us to complete projects more effectively according to the requirements and create greater customer value as a result of enhanced planning and collaboration with all stakeholders.
For one client, we utilized Touchplan to help the semiconductor company aggressively attack their tool install schedule. We were able to reduce standard durations by 50%.
The Importance of Implementing a Last Planner System Solution
Implementing a production planning approach (such as LPS) to form a workflow for these projects enables better execution. We utilize Touchplan to conduct the Last Planner System to coordinate and dynamically address constraints in the complex environment of the semiconductor industry.
Using a reliable, cloud-based system enables us to conquer common roadblocks that would otherwise slow down projects.
We are better able to support collaboration and communication with all stakeholders so that we are able to make key handoffs and efficiently resolve constraints. This platform helps us implement the five elements of Last Planner:
- Master Scheduling
- Phase “pull” planning: specifying handoffs and identifying operational conflicts
- Make Work Ready Planning: Look ahead planning to ensure work is ready and replanning as needed
- Weekly Work Planning: Obtaining commitments from all relevant parties to deliver
- Learning: measuring the percent of plan complete and learning what caused delays to improve
Touchplan helps us maintain project timelines by bringing all parties together in one environment to stay aligned on the construction plan, quickly identify issues, and make real-time adjustments as needed.
Touchplan in Action Supporting Semi Projects
There are many advantages to using the Touchplan platform. It is extremely visual, integrated, and collaborative to support the needs of project stakeholders and end users:
- Visualize the project work to be performed.
- Access status reports and summaries.
- Understand tasks and responsibilities.
The platform is user-friendly and provides a central location for coordination meetings, including pull planning, weekly work planning, and daily huddles.
For example, we use Touchplan to conduct our pull plans, allowing us to spend quality time with all stakeholders to sequence day-to-day activities – starting with our last milestone. The visual aspect and various colored tickets by role make it easy to identify key handoffs and create ties between dependent activities to define the critical path.
As we move forward with a semiconductor project, we are able to track how each project activity shifts over time, keeping everyone accountable for their respective scope of work. If the critical path set in place falls out of sequence from the original pull plan, we are able to clearly identify risk to program milestones and assess top variance issues to improve on.
A Software System to Support the Back Office
Our main use of Touchplan is to support the actual construction work. However, the system also supports back-office processes to accelerate customer deliverables.
Having one database for all planning needs relieves administrative burdens compared to using physical sticky notes and Excel trackers to implement a Last Planner Solution. Fewer hours are spent in the office sending emails and updating spreadsheets, making it easier for everyone involved in a project to coordinate between multiple teams, contractors, and suppliers.
Touchplan offers several customizable reports that give each stakeholder visibility into the overall project status and problem areas to drive continuous improvement.
Enhancing Project Delivery for Semi Customers
Using Touchplan is extremely beneficial for planning and maintaining the flow of high-tech construction projects. The platform supports our ability to deliver on all three for every client project, every time.
“We are driven by creating value for our customers. That includes utilizing the latest technology to ensure that we deliver projects correctly the first time according to their project needs,” says Sandeep Davé, Chief Business Officer. “We look forward to utilizing this software platform to support additional semiconductor projects for our customers.”
– Find out more about our capabilities to execute high-tech construction projects for semiconductor companies.
– View our portfolio of award-winning semi construction projects.
– Would you like to learn more about how we can use Touchplan as a Last Planner Solution to support your next project? Contact us today to discuss your project needs.