TECHNICAL PAPERS
May 1, 2008

Construction Process Reengineering by Integrating Lean Principles and Computer Simulation Techniques

Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 134, Issue 5

Abstract

A construction process reengineering framework and its corresponding methodologies have been developed by integrating lean principles and computer simulation techniques. Instead of classifying activities into value-adding and non-value-adding activities, or into conversion and flow activities as is common in lean production practices, this framework classifies activities into main and supportive activities and/or into normal and interactive activities. This classification makes it more effective in modeling the construction workflow and reengineering the construction process. It also avoids the confusion of the classification of activities into value-adding and non-value-adding activities encountered in the construction industry. In addition, computer simulation techniques are incorporated into the framework to virtually simulate and assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the reengineered construction process that is achieved based on lean principles. Simulation makes it easier to quantify and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the reengineered construction process.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 134Issue 5May 2008
Pages: 371 - 381

History

Received: Nov 13, 2006
Accepted: Oct 18, 2007
Published online: May 1, 2008
Published in print: May 2008

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Authors

Affiliations

Xiaoming Mao
Project Engineer, North American Construction Group, Zone 3, Acheson Industrial Area, 2-53016 Highway 60, Acheson AB, Canada T7X 5A7.
Xueqing Zhang
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, The Hong Kong Univ. of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]

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