Innella, F; Arashpour, M and Bai, Y (2019) Lean methodologies and techniques for modular construction: Chronological and critical review. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 145(12): 04019076, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Modular construction uses building modules manufactured inside the controlled environment of factories to be transported and assembled on site. Modular construction can be considered as a hybrid of manufacturing and construction, and in many ways lends itself to lean production. Lean production, originating in the automotive industry, permits significant improvements in terms of productivity and quality. The latest challenge of lean production is its implementation in the modular building industry, where the full potential in terms of productivity is yet to be achieved. The paper discusses the implementation of lean techniques in the modular building industry, including all the production process stages (i.e., design, manufacturing, transportation, assembly on site, and supply chain) through a systematic review. Moreover, the paper provides a chronological and comprehensive review of lean methodologies and tools in manufacturing and traditional construction industries to further investigate the interface of lean and modular construction. This may assist practitioners with an overview of lean strategies and associated potential benefits and obstacles for future case studies.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | lean construction; lean production; modular building; prefabrication; waste |
| Index terms: | traditional construction, lean construction, productivity, methodology, production process, implementation, modular building, modular construction, case study, lean production, practitioner, strategy, automotive industry, systematic literature review, module, prefabrication |
| Subjects: | management, practitioner, research methods, manufacturing engineering, building construction, data collection methods, heritage and conservation, contractual arrangements, research evaluation and metrics, architectural elements, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Construction Technology, Site Management, Roles and Professions, Engineering Principles, Design Practice, Business Strategy, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here