Design Breakdown in Industrialized Construction: Supporting Lean Manufacturing

Abstract

A turn-key commitment towards the client compels the contractor to optimize the entire supply chain from design to delivery of the finished building. Industrialization of residential construction can be accomplished using either an open or a closed platform. In the case of an open platform, the client can greatly affect design solutions and the subsequent production phase. The aim of this research is to explain how design process breakdown into activities and deliveries supports Lean manufacturing in an open platform situation. The most successful industrialized contractor in Sweden was studied through mapping their design process of modular buildings using their visual planning display. Describing the improvement strategy, the visual content, and the standardization efforts in design revealed the support for Lean manufacturing. Analyzing each activity for repetitive elements identified the base for standardization. The conclusion is that design breakdown is a successful method that effectively supports Lean manufacturing and provides a base for standardization in an open platform context.