Investigating the challenges related to combining BIM and Last Planner System on construction sites

Abstract

The construction industry is facing a gradual but important transformation towards more productivity and collaboration. In this framework, two major approaches are often cited in the literature as having the potential to improve the practices in the industry: Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Lean Construction. Several scientific studies have demonstrated the synergy of these two approaches and very recent research has reported positive results from the use of software applications as support for their implementation on construction sites. However, the stakes of such integration have been very little studied. This article presents the results of a research project conducted within a general contractor firm that decided to implement BIM and Last Planner System (LPS) on its construction sites. The research uses a four-stage action research approach, including the characterization of the research issue, the establishment of an action plan, its implementation and its evaluation. Compared to recent related studies, the research is less enthusiastic. While it highlights the need for new tools to improve production planning and control, it also points to a strong resistance to change by practitioners at the site. They emphasize the necessity for adequate pre-service training and the need for new resources that can work full-time on the ongoing training of site teams. In addition, some limitations of the tool lead workers to believe that it can quickly become a factor that slows down their daily work rather than improving it. Based on the advice of professionals, the paper formulates some recommendations to the industry, the researchers and the software developers.

Status Quo and Future Trends of Bim-Based Coordination Research: A Critical Review

“…Through integrated technology with "parameter intelligence", BIM can alter the representation process of digital buildings throughout their life cycles (Eastman et al, 2011). BIM is an innovative technology that forms, organizes, and manages information throughout construction processes (Boton et al, 2021). It enables different project stakeholders (owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, and engineers) to share and exchange real-time information to achieve more efficient and smoother collaboration than traditional processes (Azhar et al, 2015;Wu et al, 2019).…”

Structural equation model of the barriers to preliminary and sustained BIM adoption in a developing country

“…In the opinion of Ma et al (2019), BIM adoption barriers are the challenges that are hindering successful BIM implementation across the construction industry and successful BIM adoption on construction projects. Boton et al (2020) explained BIM adoption barriers as the issues, excuses, difficulties and reasons that are obstructing BIM implementation and adoption. Altogether, these definitions suggest that for a significant and successful BIM implementation and adoption, the essentials of BIM adoption barriers must consist of the difficulties with BIM adoption (that is, unknown barriers that will only be known and resolved when BIM is adopted) and obstacles to BIM adoption (that is, known barriers that had been resolved before BIM adoption).…”

“…Some studies have attempted to identify the obstacles to BIM adoption based on different forms of BIM adoption such as barriers affecting BIM adoption on prefabricated construction (Tan et al , 2019), barriers affecting BIM adoption in the design phase (Chan, 2014), barriers affecting BIM adoption for interior design (Hamid et al , 2017), barriers affecting BIM adoption for site health and safety management (Swallow and Zulu, 2019; Nnaji and Karakhan, 2020) and barriers affecting BIM adoption in renovation processes (Elagiry et al , 2019). Studies have also focussed on barriers affecting BIM adoption among local contractors (Fitriani et al , 2019; Li et al , 2019; Pretti and Vieira, 2016), facilities management (Codinhoto et al , 2013; Jupp, 2013), construction project and site management (Al-Zwainy et al , 2017; Boton et al , 2020), higher education (Shibani, 2020), sustainable design and construction (Olawumi et al , 2018; Olawumi and Chan, 2020), nD BIM (Tse et al , 2005; Stanley and Thurnell, 2014; Kassem et al , 2012) and civil engineering projects (Kenley and Harfield, 2016).…”

Contract Management for BIM-based Projects: A Bibliometric Literature Review

“…al., 2019). Thus, it is necessary to develop new management tools and practices for the construction industry to enhance its capacity to execute projects within a BIM environment, while also addressing the resistance to change often encountered among practitioners (Boton et al, 2021). To help overcome the barriers to BIM adoption, Alreshidi et al (2017) propose a BIM governance framework in which 'processes and contracts' are highlighted as key components that support BIM.…”

“…Since the late 1990s, the construction industry has been experiencing digital transformation driven by the adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology. Compared to other industries, the construction sector is the least receptive to the implementation of new technologies and has been suffering from issues related to BIM adoption, such as the need for new management practices (Gless et al, 2019, Alreshidi, Mourshed and Rezgui, 2017, Boton et al, 2021. BIM as the new technology available to the construction industry allows construction professionals, in addition to threedimensional modeling and an integrated process, to share and discuss the project digitally before it is…”