Laovisutthichai, V and Lu, W (2023) Design for manufacture and assembly (dfma) in architectural design meetings: From a case study to knowledge-to-action framework. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 12(5), pp. 1117-1134. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
Purpose: Design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) challenges architects in managing diverse knowledge across different professional domains. Little research, if any, has documented DfMA as a knowledge-intensive activity happening in real-life cases. This research aims to investigate DfMA knowledge acquisition, sharing and implementation in real-life practice and develop DfMA knowledge-to-action framework for architects. Design/methodology/approach: It does so by (1) conducting observations in design meetings, documentary analysis and interviews, (2) thematic analysis through knowledge management (KM) perspectives and (3) based on this profound understanding, enriching the prior understanding of design as a double diamond process. Findings: Through the lens of KM, DfMA is not merely a double but multiple diamond process, involving the iteration of making absenting interdisciplinary knowledge available, deciphering tacit knowledge explicit and embedding the knowledge in a design that well considers various criteria, the downstream manufacturing, logistics and assembly in particular. To execute multi-faceted knowledge acquisitions and implementations in DfMA, architects should balance their roles as humble learners, team coordinators, creative leaders and democratic negotiators. Originality/value: This research reveals the DfMA implementation process, activities and dilemmas from real-world design meetings. The DfMA knowledge-to-action framework developed in this study, along with practice examples and lessons learned, can facilitate architects to play new roles. Future research is recommended to fine-tune the framework by having other stakeholders' perspectives, refining it with additional cases and developing assistive tools for designers based on the framework.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | architectural concept design; design for manufacture and assembly; design meetings; ethnography study; knowledge management; knowledge-to-action framework |
| Index terms: | interview, thematic analysis, methodology, architectural design, knowledge management, lessons learned, documentary analysis, tacit knowledge, case study, design for manufacture and assembly, designer, ethnography, concept design, architect, knowledge acquisition, implementation |
| Subjects: | profession, data collection methods, contractual arrangements, data science, research methods, manufacturing engineering, design practice, design process, professional development, methods and analysis, qualitative and interpretive research, student development |
| Topics: | Education, Design Practice, Roles and Professions, Procurement, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Information Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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