Analyzing the Association between Lean Design Management Practices and BIM Uses in the Design of Construction Projects
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 147, Issue 4
Abstract
There is a beneficial effect when integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) with lean practices to identify and reduce waste in the construction industry. According to experts, it is possible to improve the design process through waste reduction by implementing lean practices and BIM. An unexplored perspective on these synergies concerns the relationship between the specific uses of BIM and lean practices. Therefore, this study analyzed the relationships between Lean Design Management (LDM) practices and BIM uses in the planning and design phases of the infrastructure lifecycle. To achieve this objective, the research was organized into three stages: (1) the explanation of LDM practices and BIM uses; (2) the characterization of sample projects and data collection strategies; and (3) data exploration, including reliability analysis, descriptive statistics, association analysis, and a causal analysis of LDM practices and BIM uses. The analysis of the relationship between LDM practices and BIM uses generated empirical evidence of the implementation of BIM uses and lean management practices at the design phase. LDM practices from the categories planning and control and problem-solving and decision-making were more related to BIM uses than LDM practices from the category stakeholder management. Additionally, it was concluded that if a project applies a higher proportion of BIM uses, it will tend to apply a higher proportion of LDM practices; however, this relationship is not as clear in the other way around.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code used during the study were provided by a third party (LDM practices assessment data and BUA assessment data). Direct requests for these materials may be made to the provider as indicated in the Acknowledgements.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the help and support provided by GEPUC, which provided access to data collection for this study. In addition, the authors acknowledge financial support from FONDECYT (1181648) and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Rodrigo Herrera acknowledges financial support for Ph.D. studies from Vicerrectoría de Investigación (VRI) of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) and CONICYT-PCHA/National Doctorate/2018 -21180884.
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Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 147 • Issue 4 • April 2021
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 21, 2020
Accepted: Oct 22, 2020
Published online: Jan 27, 2021
Published in print: Apr 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Jun 27, 2021
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