What are some best practices for using BIM to enhance lean construction?

1 Align BIM goals with lean principles

BIM can support lean construction only if it is aligned with the core principles of lean, such as customer focus, value stream mapping, pull planning, flow optimization, waste elimination, and continuous learning. Therefore, it is important to define clear and measurable BIM goals that are aligned with the project objectives and the customer requirements. For example, BIM goals can include improving design quality, reducing rework, enhancing safety, or increasing productivity. BIM goals should also be communicated and agreed upon by all the project stakeholders, including the owner, the designer, the contractor, and the subcontractors.

3 Use BIM for integrated design and delivery

BIM can enable integrated design and delivery, which is a lean approach that involves the early and continuous involvement of all the project stakeholders in the design and construction process. BIM can support integrated design and delivery by allowing the project team to share, review, and modify the BIM models and data in real time, using cloud-based platforms and collaborative tools. BIM can also help the project team to perform simulations, analyses, and validations of the design alternatives, such as energy performance, structural integrity, constructability, or cost estimation. BIM can also help the project team to identify and resolve potential conflicts, errors, or risks before they become costly or disruptive issues on site.

4 Use BIM for lean planning and scheduling

BIM can enhance lean planning and scheduling, which is a process that aims to optimize the workflow, reduce the variability, and increase the reliability of the project delivery. BIM can support lean planning and scheduling by enabling the project team to visualize and sequence the construction activities, resources, and materials in 3D and 4D (time). BIM can also help the project team to apply lean methods such as pull planning, last planner system, or takt time planning, which are based on the principles of pull, flow, and value. BIM can also help the project team to monitor and control the project progress, performance, and quality, using 5D (cost) and 6D (facility management) data.

5 Use BIM for lean prefabrication and modularization

BIM can enable lean prefabrication and modularization, which are techniques that involve the production of building components or modules in a controlled factory environment, rather than on site. BIM can support lean prefabrication and modularization by allowing the project team to design, detail, and coordinate the prefabricated or modular elements in 3D, using parametric modeling and generative design tools. BIM can also help the project team to optimize the fabrication process, reduce the waste of materials and labor, and improve the quality and accuracy of the prefabricated or modular elements. BIM can also help the project team to plan and execute the transportation, installation, and integration of the prefabricated or modular elements on site, using 4D and 5D data.

6 Use BIM for lean feedback and improvement

BIM can foster lean feedback and improvement, which is a culture and practice that involves collecting, analyzing, and applying the lessons learned from the project experience to improve the future performance and outcomes. BIM can support lean feedback and improvement by enabling the project team to capture and store the as-built data and information of the project, using 3D laser scanning, drones, or sensors. BIM can also help the project team to compare and evaluate the as-built data and information with the as-planned data and information, using 4D and 5D tools. BIM can also help the project team to identify and document the best practices, the gaps, the challenges, and the opportunities for improvement, using 6D and 7D (sustainability) tools.