Institute for Work and Construction Management (Germany)

ifA-Bau Consult GmbH is a German construction-management consultancy based in Stuttgart. It traces its origins to 1946, when Dr. Gerhard Dressel founded the Institut für Arbeits- und Baubetriebswissenschaft as a pioneering project to improve efficiency in construction processes. Over the following decades the institute evolved into a consulting, development and research business. Leadership passed to Dr. Dressel's son, Klaus-Michael Dressel, who continued the family tradition while introducing modern values and methods. Today the firm presents itself under the ifA brand and the ifA-Bau Consult GmbH name. Its website describes a team of experienced consultants, coaches and trainers who combine tradition with innovation and accompany companies from planning through implementation to continuous improvement. The consultancy emphasises cooperation and knowledge transfer, working closely with clients to develop tailored solutions. The service portfolio is organised around three main pillars. The first is Erfahrungsaustausch (experience exchange): fixed peer groups in which executives from the construction industry share knowledge, receive impulses and expand their networks. The second is Lean consulting, which helps clients make planning and construction sites more efficient and reduce waste by analysing processes and developing customised solutions. The third is holistic digitalisation consulting, supporting companies in shaping digital transformation with a clear strategy. The firm also offers advice on People & Culture, covering leadership and organisational topics. A central vehicle for this work is BauConnect, which the company describes as bundling decades of expertise and connecting it with modern methods such as Lean Construction and Lean Design to support construction companies on their path to a successful future. The company's stated mission is to connect people, shape processes and build the future, and it describes itself as a reliable partner to the construction industry for 80 years. As a privately held German consultancy, ifA-Bau Consult GmbH serves the German construction market. Its history spans from post-war efficiency research to contemporary Lean Construction, agile practices, digital transformation and sustainable corporate development.

The Institut für Arbeits- und Baubetriebswissenschaft was founded in 1946 by Dr. Gerhard Dressel as a pioneering project aimed at increasing efficiency in construction processes. According to the company's own account, this marked the beginning of a tradition that would span decades. Over the years the institute developed from its original research orientation into a consulting, development and research enterprise serving the construction industry. A generational transition occurred when Dr. Dressel's son, Klaus-Michael Dressel, took over the organisation. This succession continued the tradition and legacy of the founder while bringing in new, modern values and approaches. Under this leadership the institute broadened its methods beyond classical construction-process efficiency to include contemporary practices. By the 2020s the organisation presented itself as ifA-Bau Consult GmbH, describing itself as a reliable partner to the construction industry for 80 years. Its current profile combines long-standing experience with innovative methods such as Lean Construction, agile practices, digital transformation and sustainable corporate development. The firm operates from Stuttgart and focuses on connecting people, shaping processes and building the future for construction businesses. Its modern service model is built around experience exchange groups, Lean consulting, holistic digitalisation consulting and People & Culture advisory work. The BauConnect offering bundles the firm's accumulated expertise and links it with Lean Construction and Lean Design methods to help construction companies improve projects, leadership and processes.

• 1946

  Dr. Gerhard Dressel founds the Institut für Arbeits- und Baubetriebswissenschaft as a pioneering project to increase efficiency in construction processes.

• Klaus-Michael Dressel takes over the institute, continuing the family tradition while introducing modern values and approaches.

• The organisation operates as ifA-Bau Consult GmbH, describing itself as a partner to the construction industry for 80 years and offering BauConnect, Lean consulting and digitalisation services.

A tradition-rich German construction-management consultancy combining decades of experience with modern methods such as Lean Construction, Lean Design, agile practices and digital transformation.

• BauConnect

  A service line bundling decades of expertise and connecting it with modern methods such as Lean Construction and Lean Design to support construction companies.

• Erfahrungsaustausch (experience exchange)

  Fixed peer groups in which construction executives exchange knowledge, gain impulses and expand their networks.

• Lean-Beratung (Lean consulting)

  Consulting that helps clients make planning and construction sites more efficient and reduce waste through process analysis and tailored solutions.

• Digitalisation consulting

  Holistic support for companies shaping their digital transformation with a clear strategy.

• People & Culture consulting

  Advisory on leadership and organisational topics for more efficient projects and strong leadership.

1. 1Home - ifA-Bau Consult GmbHifa-bau-consult.de
2. 2Über uns - ifA-Bau Consult GmbHifa-bau-consult.de
3. 3Institut Für Arbeits- und Baubetriebswissenschaft (Germany) - Wikidatawikidata.org