Pareto’s Principle, also known as the 80/20 Rule, is named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto. The principle suggests that roughly 80% of outcomes result from 20% of causes. Originally used in economics to describe wealth distribution, this concept has since been applied across many industries, including engineering and project management.
In timber engineering, Pareto’s Principle can be seen in the detailing and execution of projects. While the early stages of design may seem straightforward, the final 20% of the project—which includes intricate detailing, connection design, and assembly coordination—can often take 80% of the time and effort to complete. This is especially true when working with complex timber materials such as CLT, GLT, LVL, and others, where precision is crucial for structural integrity and performance.
By recognizing and addressing this principle from the outset, timber engineers can allocate resources more effectively, ensuring that the critical final stages of detailing and assembly are thoroughly planned to avoid delays and ensure the project’s success.