Handoffs between takt train wagons: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Recent years have seen increased use of takt planning. With takt planning, trades are organized as wagons in a train moving through takt areas in the building. Using takt plans may result in hundreds of handoffs, where finished takt areas are passed on to the subsequent wagons in the train. How these handoffs are carried out can significantly impact a project. This paper aims to gain an overview of the research literature on takt handoffs in construction projects. The paper identifies and analyses what has been written about handoffs in the takt literature through a structured literature review. The study identified 122 papers on takt in construction. While none of the identified papers dealt directly with handoffs, 22 had some discussion of handoff-related issues. From the literature, the paper identifies several issues related to takt handoffs and possible solutions – most notably: 1) To ensure successful handoffs, capacity buffers and progress control may help ensure that the takt areas are completed on time. 2) Requirements for what wagons must do before handoff should be clear to avoid problems that can delay the entire train. 3) Contracts that structure payments after handoffs of fully finished areas will incentivize the wagons to finish their takt areas before the handoff. 4) A handoff protocol can be a helpful tool for structuring handoffs.