Development of a BIM and lean construction process protocol for the construction industry in Kuwait: From a client perspective

In Kuwait, there are substantial development plans for the construction industry; however, this is not without obstacles, as it suffers from problems and faces many challenges that have led to poor performance in the industry. This research focuses on the public sector as a sector that could bring innovation to the government and support the aim Kuwait’s vision for 2035 for the construction industry. Moreover, it could help to introduce advanced methods that enable the digitisation of the industry. This study investigates the most common problems facing the Kuwaiti construction industry, identifies an appropriate solution to resolve these issues, and thus, improve the industry. Lean Construction (LC) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) have demonstrated their effectiveness in improving the construction industry in many countries around the world. Lean Construction is a management philosophy to minimise waste and add value for the customer, whereas BIM is a process that manages information through the project lifecycle, from planning and designing through to project completion. Since there is a lack of awareness of Lean Construction and Building Information Modelling in Kuwait, it is essential to consider these two resources when exploring ways to improve the efficiency of the construction industry. Mixed methods research is applied in this study, starting with a survey that explores the challenges and examines the possible solutions applied in construction projects in Kuwait. Subsequently, two case studies are selected to obtain in-depth information on the challenges, project management practices, and adoption of advanced technologies, such as BIM and Lean Construction, in construction projects in Kuwait. Delays, a lack of communication and coordination between stakeholders, poor planning and control, and change in orders by the client have been noted as the main risks in the industry. Yet, public construction organisations can also adopt project management approaches that are ineffective and need improvement. In addition, there is a lack of awareness of Lean Construction, while BIM has been improperly implemented in the industry. In short, the construction industry in Kuwait needs to be developed and modernised to keep pace with other developing countries in terms of its performance and productivity. Therefore, this research will propose the development of a framework based on Lean Construction principles and utilising Building Information Modelling to address the challenges identified in the Kuwaiti construction industry and improve the industry’s performance and effectiveness in terms of time, cost, and quality. The outcome of the study will help to build knowledge for the implementation of BIM using the new International BIM Standard (ISO 19650) with principles of Lean Construction in the construction industry.