Gil, N; Tommelein, I D; Kirkendall, R L and Ballard, G (2001) Leveraging specialty-contractor knowledge in design-build organizations. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 8(5-6), pp. 355-367. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Specialty contractors have knowledge to contribute to the early design of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) products. In current practice, however, they are seldom involved in early design, but evidence suggests that their early involvement is increasing. Lean construction theory advocates such involvement. The practice of involving suppliers in product development efforts and manufacturing has proven to be highly successful. The paper reports on empirical research that identified the contributions of specialty contractor (SO knowledge to early design, which led to gains in process efficiency and improvements in product quality. These contributions are categorized and illustrated by means of examples that stem from current practice or present potential opportunities for improvement. Reasons are given why SC knowledge is often ignored in design. Changes in AEC practices nevertheless suggest that organizations are creating conditions to increase interaction between designers and SCs. Such interactions will help AEC organizations to retain and share the knowledge of individuals as well as learn to develop new knowledge.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | collaboration; concurrent engineering; design-assist design-build; design build contracting; knowledge; lean construction; partnering; product-process integration; specialty consultants |
| Index terms: | lean construction, integration, product development, collaboration, efficiency, interaction, partnering, designer, evidence, design build, specialty contractor, product quality, concurrent engineering |
| Subjects: | performance management, partnership management, engineering methods, quality assurance, behavioral psychology, building construction, professional practice, organizational analysis, profession, evaluation and assessment methods, contractual arrangements, management, innovation studies |
| Topics: | Site Management, Procurement, Roles and Professions, Stakeholder Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Organizational Design, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCA |
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