Abstract
Prefabricated construction, increasingly recognized as a sustainable method, enhances productivity while mitigating the drawbacks of traditional approaches. Lean construction, pivotal for sustainability, targets waste reduction and cost efficiency while delivering value to customers. In India's prefabrication sector, numerous barriers impede the implementation of lean principles, necessitating their identification and resolution to advance lean practices. This study aims to identify and analyze primary barriers to implementing lean principles within India's prefabrication industry, focusing on professionals' perceptions. Employing exploratory factor analysis, it examines these barriers' interconnections and causal relationships, providing actionable recommendations for enhanced lean construction effectiveness. Through a review of the literature, 26 significant barriers were identified and primary data was obtained with the help of a questionnaire. 25 barriers were discerned after pre-exploratory factor analysis, culminating in ten common components. Notably, the study highlights a primary barrier: understanding of lean construction. Drawing from expert insights, substantial recommendations are provided, intending to guide the prefabricated building sector in overcoming barriers to on-site lean construction. These findings and recommendations offer valuable direction for industry stakeholders.