Operations-oriented supply chain master planning in panelized construction using hybrid multiagent simulation

Effective coordination among supply chain entities is essential in panelized construction projects. It helps to mitigate the risk of operational conflicts that can lead to cost overruns and schedule delays. However, efforts to attain optimal coordination are hindered by the lack of a supply chain master planning method. Such a method is needed to synchronize operational processes with demands from supply chain entities involving factory, trucks, trailers, and sites. To address this limitation, this paper proposes an integrated planning approach that (1) consolidates supply chain operations and resources by adopting just-in-time principles to align production with on-site needs; (2) manages shared resources between sites and coordinates reverse transportation flow using a GIS map; and (3) considers panel customization and practical planning rules. The proposed framework is evaluated using a hybrid multiagent simulation model developed to manage supply chain processes by mimicking the proposed master planning procedures. The validation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed master planning model in coordinating the supply chain operations of a residential panel manufacturer to meet project delivery dates. The findings illustrate the model's capacity to adapt to diverse operational requirements and manage shared resources under dynamic conditions across multiple sites. This study contributes to supply chain management in panelized construction by introducing a simulation-based framework that integrates production, transportation, and on-site assembly processes in unified planning procedures. The proposed model provides key practical insights into resource coordination and performance optimization by identifying inefficiencies such as excess production capacities and underutilized logistics resources. This simulation-based planning model can serve as a primary platform for automating supply chain scheduling and boosting operational performance. In this way, it can be expected to improve supply chain management practices and support large-scale, multiproject, and multiproduction line operations efficiently and effectively in off-site construction.