BIM Implementation for Lean Construction
Combining lean and BIM improves efficiency, reduces costs, and adds value to construction projects.
The construction industry faces challenges due to resource consumption and waste generation. With infrastructure remaining unbuilt and demand increasing, it cannot slow down. A survey revealed 85% experienced delays in major projects, resulting in additional costs and longer delivery times. Do you really think the problem is in scarcity or is it our treatment of the resources which we have at our disposal?
As Mahatma Gandhi has said, there is enough for everybody's need but not for anybody's greed. Don’t you think the world would be a better place with leanness in place? In this blog, we will get along the concept of leanness and its implementation in the AEC sector through BIM.
Origins of Lean Production
If we trace the history of the Lean idea back to the Toyota production chains, they established a philosophy to enable them to have safer processes in addition to more efficient ones. This was done in response to their desire to boost productivity. The primary goal of this new way of thinking was to boost quality and productivity while also eliminating waste in the production process.
What exactly is lean construction?
Lean construction is a production management approach that maximizes stakeholder value, minimizes waste, and promotes collaboration. It aims to enable individuals to make changes in design, supply, assembly, and control, ensuring better results and a sense of freedom.
Benefits of Leanness with Construction on Site
Although, it's true that there may be some hesitation or doubt during the early stages of implementing a new work technique. Adopting lean construction has obvious benefits.
- Lowering of execution expenses.
- A reduction in the frequency of workplace accidents.
- The capacity to forecast project completion dates.
- Projects completed ahead of schedule.
- Rework and defect counts are lower.
- Constant enhancement.
- A rise in earnings for all concerned parties.
- Connectivity with the chain of supplies.
- Genuine cooperation between the agents concerned.
Understanding lean construction principles and their implementation with BIM
Lean Construction is inspired by Lean Manufacturing principles, emphasizing the reduction of waste, improving workflows, and delivering more value to the customer. And this is exactly where BIM could assist you too for your construction project. Let us now understand how BIM helps in the execution of key principles of lean construction.
Value: Benefits associated with BIM for users
Project teams may use Building Information Modeling (BIM) to see the whole building process in three dimensions before work really starts. This aids in spotting any problems and streamlining the building process.
Value Stream: Incremental value development in all steps
The kind and specifics of digital building information needed in a BIM model for construction projects are referred to as BIM dimensions. Beyond 2D and 3D geometrical data, more information is needed as the design process advances. Beyond merely geometry, BIM models support every step of design, construction, operation, and administration.
Flow: Addressing issues upfront minimizing interruptions
BIM tools detect system clashes before construction, reducing rework costs and time. They facilitate efficient construction schedules by delivering materials just in time, reducing inventory waste.
Pull: Real-time resolution on the issues making it about stakeholders
BIM enables better collaboration among stakeholders by providing a centralized platform for sharing information. This helps in identifying and resolving issues early, reducing delays and rework.
Perfection: A system of feedback looping for continuous improvement
A well-framed BEP (BIM Execution Plan) is a crucial component of successful construction projects using BIM methodology, guiding advanced design technologies and optimizing workflow. Then, a periodic approach to BIM model auditing helps identify faults, saving time and money on redesigns.
Challenges of implementing BIM and lean construction
The three stages of project management involve waste elimination, enhancing cooperative relationships, and a structural change in project governance.
Regretfully, the majority of the current Lean conversations in the construction industry center on the first and second phases. With a focus on a narrow perspective on all categories of projects, lean practices are also bound to fail.
Therefore, moving beyond lean methodologies, we'll stand back and attempt to identify the main obstacles in implementing lean in the construction industry.
- Management issues : The most critical issue for lean management is delays in decision-making. Lack of proper management is one of the main reasons behind delays and overruns in construction projects. And this needs fixation even when lean construction and BIM are in practice. No technology or approach is full-proof if we don’t have a competent system in place.
- Financial issues : Lean construction and BIM implementation require funding to motivate the workforce, change processes, and employ specialists. In the construction industry, financial barriers include corruption, inflation, high costs, poor wages, and risk aversion. Course correcting and deriving a big-time change in your workflow require extensive investment on training and assets both.
- Governmental issues: The construction industry faces numerous government policy issues, including inconsistencies, lack of infrastructure, and a disorganized structure. Government workings would need a major overhaul while implementing BIM for lean construction. Also, the lack of technology adoption in government practices has been always a challenge.
Unspoken Lean failures also present very valuable learning insights for the industry. These challenges are not signs for stoppage on your BIM and lean construction adoption, but rather an optimized way ahead.
One thing that is certain about this AEC industry is the occurrence of sudden challenges, and you must be prepared for that. And with BIM in place, you would not only be leaner but more prepared in your practice.
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