Ma, X; Chan, A P C; Wu, H; Xiong, F and Dong, N (2018) Achieving leanness with BIM-based integrated data management in a built environment project. Construction Innovation, 18(4), pp. 469-487. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose: Although various concepts and techniques are introduced to the built environment to achieve a substantially efficient building production, the effective application of these methods in projects is of immense significance to the field of building construction. Among these initiatives, lean construction and building information modelling (BIM) are mainstream endeavours that share many common principles to improve the productivity of the built environment. This study aims to explore and explain how BIM-based integrated data management (IDM) facilitates the achievement of leanness in a built environment project. Design/methodology/approach: This research is conducted through an ethnographic-action research that relies on the design-science approach and case study through a collaborative research project. As participants of the project, the researchers of this study cooperate with the practitioners to design the project approach and production workflows. Research data and evidence are obtained via participative observation, including direct observation, results of activities, unstructured meetings and self-analysis. Findings: In this study, the project and production perspectives clarify the building design and production process, as well as analyse how BIM facilitates the achievement of leanness in building design and construction. BIM-based frameworks for IDM have been developed to handle miscellaneous information and data, as well as enhance multidisciplinary collaboration throughout the project life cycle. The role of the integrated BIM model as an information hub between the building design and building construction has been identified. Research/limitations implications: The project and production views of building and construction are used in this study because the research purpose is to link the BIM-based IDM to lean construction. Although this mixed approach can slightly undermine the theoretical foundation of this study, a substantially comprehensive understanding can be gained as well. Practical implications: This study provides a new perspective to understand how BIM-based IDM contributes to lean construction. Originality/value: This study provides new insights into IDM in a built environment project with project and production views and presents BIM-based frameworks for IDM to achieve lean construction through the BIM process.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BIM; building production; integrated data management; lean construction; project management; virtual design and construction |
| Index terms: | life cycle, building information modelling, built environment, practitioner, evidence, building construction, science, production process, action research, case study, building design, data management, virtual design and construction, collaboration, direct observation, productivity, leanness, methodology, project management, workflow, lean construction |
| Subjects: | architectural design, project management theory and practice, infrastructure and transport systems, value management, digital design, data collection methods, building construction, manufacturing engineering, specialized education, research methods, information systems, data management, evaluation and assessment methods, management, practitioner |
| Topics: | Organizational Design, Education, Digital Applications, Project Management, Research Practice, Site Management, Construction Technology, Roles and Professions, Urban Studies, Engineering Principles, Design Practice, Business Strategy |
| 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