Last Planner Conference Presentation

The Secret History of the Last Planner System

PPI Technical Committee Member H. James Choo presented at this year’s 5th Annual Last Planner System Conference which was held this April in San Francisco.

Overview

PPI Technical Committee Member H. James Choo presented at this year’s 5th Annual Last Planner System Conference which was held this April in San Francisco. Watch his riveting talk on the Secret History of the Last Planner System here.

To learn more about the conference: https://leanconstructionblog.com/last-planner-conference-2025.html

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Speakers

James Choo
H.J. James Choo, PhD
Project Production Institute

H.J. James Choo, Ph.D is Chief Technical Officer of Strategic Project Solutions, Inc. and a member of the Technical Committee for Project Production Institute (PPI).

He has been leading research and development of project production management and its underlying framework of Operations Science knowledge, processes, and systems to support implementation of large capital projects globally since 2001.

James has worked with high profile organizations in oil & gas, life sciences, heavy industrial, civil infrastructure, aerospace & defense and other industries.  He has also worked with many manufacturing companies to improve their service levels by reducing lead times and optimizing inventory through the use of Operations Science.

James is a frequent contributor to research and curriculum for Texas A&M University, University of California at Berkeley, and California Polytechnic State University.

Prior to joining SPS, his experience included roles as a construction site engineer, research associate at research institutes, teaching assistant at universities, and software developer. He has been developing computer systems for implementation of Lean Construction since 1997 during his Ph.D. studies at UC Berkeley.

James has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Yonsei University, Korea.  He holds a Ph.D. in Construction Engineering & Management from the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of University of California at Berkeley.  He is also certified as a Master Factory Physicist from Factory Physics, Inc.

About PPI

PPI works to increase the value Engineering and Construction provides to the economy and society. PPI researches and disseminates knowledge related to the application of Project Production Management (PPM) and technology for the optimization of complex and critical energy, industrial and civil infrastructure projects.

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The Project Production Institute (PPI) exists to enhance the value Engineering and Construction provides to the economy and society. We are working to:

1) Make PPM the dominant paradigm for the delivery of capital projects,

2) Have project professionals use PPM principles, methods and tools in their everyday work,

3) Create a thriving market for PPM services and tools,

4) Fund and advance global PPM research, development and education (higher and trade), and

5) Ensure PPM is acknowledged, required and specified as a standard by government and regulatory agencies.

To that end, the Institute partners with leading universities to conduct research and educate students and professionals, produces an annual Journal to disseminate knowledge, and hosts events and webinars around the world to discuss pertinent and timely topics related to PPM. In order to advance PPM through access and insight, the Institute’s Industry Council consists of experts and leaders from companies such as Chevron, Google, Microsoft and Merck.

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