Design for excellence (dfx) in architecture, engineering, and construction: Definition, necessity, and knowledge management-based framework

Design for excellence (DfX) is a holistic philosophy, where upstream design is fully cultivated to achieve not only manufacturability and assemblability but multiple qualities in the downstream building life cycle. Central to this doctrine is its knowledge-intensive mechanism, incorporating multidimensional DfX knowledge beyond one's capabilities into design. However, this intellectual process remains underexplored, hindering its systematic application and broader adoption. This research, therefore, aims to establish a DfX knowledge management-based framework. It does so by literature review, case studies, and based on a profound understanding, enriching existing frameworks. The results posit that DfX knowledge is inherently tacit, derived from hands-on experience and case-based learning, fragmented into subdomains, and distilled into simplified considerations for dissemination. To manage it effectively, this research proposes a preliminary framework with three main stages: (1) knowledge acquisition from real-life cases, (2) accumulation into a meaningful whole, and (3) contextualization into a practicable, usable format. The proposed framework, along with the definition, necessity, and case studies provided, serves as a guide for practitioners and scholars navigating the complex DfX knowledge transformation process. Future studies are recommended to fine-tune the framework, address implementation challenges, and integrate computational tools for support.