Technical Paper
Dec 7, 2015

Industrial Project Execution Planning: Modularization versus Stick-Built

Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 21, Issue 1

Abstract

High levels of modularization have yet to be generally achieved by the construction industry. To suggest how such levels might be achieved, this study identified needed changes or adaptations in conventional project work processes. It did so by identifying and analyzing differences in how modular projects should be planned and executed. Nineteen research team members and two academic researchers identified, classified, and grouped 107 differences in how modular projects should be planned and executed. Later, three modularization case studies were conducted, and the findings were subsequently validated by an external validation committee. At the topic level, nearly 37% of the planning differences pertained to one of four topics: planning and cost estimating; modularization scoping, layout process, and plot plan; basic design standards, models, and deliverables; or detailed design deliverables. The industry may need to pay attention to these four topics to achieve higher levels of modularization. The scope of this research primarily includes the industrial subsector.

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Go to Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 21Issue 1February 2016

History

Received: Dec 22, 2014
Accepted: Jul 27, 2015
Published online: Dec 7, 2015
Published in print: Feb 1, 2016
Discussion open until: May 7, 2016

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Authors

Affiliations

James T. O’Connor, M.ASCE [email protected]
C. T. Wells Professor of Project Management, Dept. of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Texas at Austin, 1 Univ. Station C1752, Austin, TX 78712. E-mail: [email protected]
William J. O’Brien, M.ASCE [email protected]
Associate Professor, Dept. of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Texas at Austin, 1 Univ. Station C1752, Austin, TX 78712. E-mail: [email protected]
Jin Ouk Choi [email protected]
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept. of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Iowa State Univ., 394 Town Engineering, Ames, IA 50011 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]

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