Design Process Modelling to Measure Engineering Productivity in Building Design

Abstract

A multi-domain Matrix (MDM) is used to identify and analyse rework loops within the Building Design (BD) process caused by building regulations. To model this process, we used information from official documents, plans of work, email archives, and anecdotal evidence as a case study. Findings reveal that MDM can identify the rework loops caused by building regulations, this information forms the basis to improve current BD processes. The complexity of the rework loop including the processes, people and, deliverables involved in the rework loop is also identified. Further analysis can also use the MDM to estimate the costs incurred with each rework cycle. This MDM can also identify rework loops in other engineering design processes due to design changes.This study is part of a PhD project exploring engineering productivity in the construction industry using DRM. The results present an MDM that provides situation-specific insight, offering areas of process improvement, and support through engineering productivity measurement. This is one of the few studies that models rework loops in the BD process caused by regulations.

Designer Productivity Management in Building Design Using Multi-Domain Matrix Analyses

“…The BD MDM is adapted into a Productivity MDM to include additional data to analyse the designer's productivity. We previously used the BD MDM to represent a high-level authority submission process for a 4-storey building project (Wong et al, 2023). The Process DSM in this BD MDM showed rework loops between the different building components.…”

“…The first author previously used an MDM to represent the authority submission process (Figure 1b). This BD MDM identifies rework loops and quantifies the costs of rework in BD due to regulatory checks and authority submission (Wong et al, 2023). However, the BD MDM does not provide information about how designers' productivity is affected by rework (the causes or extent).…”

“…Design changes and redesign due to late identification of design errors in construction contributes significantly to rework in the Building Design (BD) process. (2022; Wong et al, 2023) describe in detail the BD process in Singapore, where mandatory design checks in the technical design stages cause substantial rework and significantly affect project performance. Design changes and iteration are also common in other engineering design processes.…”