Defining and Categorizing Modules in Building Projects: An International Perspective
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 142, Issue 11
Abstract
Modularization involves breaking up a system into discrete chunks, which communicate with each other through standardized interfaces, rules, and specifications. It is a broad concept with various interpretations and meanings across research disciplines. The complexity and scope of a module is not captured sufficiently and clearly in the construction management and engineering literature, and the impact of modularization across project phases has not been fully explored and articulated. Therefore, the main question addressed in this paper relates to the inherent meaning of what is a module in the context of different phases of a building project. In addressing this question, this paper empirically investigates the use of modularity in 15 construction projects situated in Italy, Germany, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. The findings of this research suggest that a design-based and an operations-based perspective of modularity coexist, and that there is the need for an integrated view of modularity across the project lifecycle phases and for collaborative working between designers and site operators. To this aim, a unifying definition of a module in building projects is proposed along with a practical guide to help managers organize project activities for effective modularization. The actual cost analysis of the various modularization strategies provides an interesting avenue for future research. The template proposed also requires wider testing with a wider range of modules.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to acknowledge the five anonymous referees and the editor of the Journal of Construction Engineering and Management for having provided many helpful suggestions that considerably improved the manuscript. We are also grateful to the many practitioners and companies that made time to support this research. Finally, we would like to dedicate this paper to the life of Professor Denis Towill, our coauthor and friend, who sadly passed away while the paper was under review. It was a privilege to have known and worked with him (one last sign off TTFN DRT).
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Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 142 • Issue 11 • November 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 7, 2015
Accepted: Mar 17, 2016
Published online: May 20, 2016
Discussion open until: Oct 20, 2016
Published in print: Nov 1, 2016
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