Model for Devising Visual Management Systems on Construction Sites
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 145, Issue 2
Abstract
Visual management (VM) is a strategy for information management that is widely used in the manufacturing industry, which is strongly related to increasing process transparency, one of the core principles of the lean production philosophy. However, the use of VM on construction sites is still relatively limited, and there is scant literature on the implementation of this principle in construction projects. This article proposes a model for devising visual management systems, understood as sets of visual practices that should be integrated in managerial processes. It is based on a set of benchmarking studies and two empirical studies carried out at different construction firms. As secondary contributions, this investigation proposes a set of guidelines for designing and implementing visual management systems and a taxonomy of VM practices according to the degree of integration in managerial processes. Some concepts proposed in other fields of knowledge, such as visual thinking, visual literacy, collaboration rituals, and boundary objects, were considered in the development of the model.
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Data Availability Statement
Data generated or analyzed during the study are available from the corresponding author by request. Information about the Journal’s data-sharing policy can be found here: http://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001263.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) for the financial support received. The authors are also grateful to the professionals and companies that made it possible to develop this investigation, and especially to Marinna Pivatto for her contributions to data collection.
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Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 145 • Issue 2 • February 2019
Copyright
©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 13, 2017
Accepted: Jul 30, 2018
Published online: Dec 8, 2018
Published in print: Feb 1, 2019
Discussion open until: May 8, 2019
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