Management framework for technology clusters implementation

Much of the construction industry improvement agenda has been focused on achieving integration of the design and construction processes. However, the current approaches do not create an organizational framework to deal with the full integration of the supply chains for component based construction. The real construction supply chain of clients, designers, specialist designers, specialist manufacturers, constructors and assemblers is not integrated into one group with a common purpose. A major and ongoing challenge is to manage the essential grouping of contributors and participants, many of whom are involved for varying times on a relatively short-term basis. Grouping, by using technology clusters, addresses many of these challenges as it creates a commonly shared sub-organization and culture that aids the removal of barriers to efficient and quality production. A technology cluster approach is a management philosophy and its principles can be applied whatever the procurement approach, although managed forms of procurement provide a better framework. Our studies of projects that have adopted a clustering approach have provided an understanding of the implementation issues of technology clusters and established the consequent changes in organizational design and management necessary to achieve full integration of the supply chain.