Product Platforms in Industrialized House Building – Information Modeling Method

Abstract

There is a demand on the current markets of industrialized house building for higher product design flexibility and customization. One of the success factors in addressing this challenge efficiently is the formalization and use of product platforms through information technology applications. However, there is a lack of knowledge on how product platforms and their use should be modeled to support the development of information technology applications. The aim of this paper is therefore, to increase the knowledge on information modeling of product platforms and their use in the industrialized house building design process. The available information modeling methods were identified and analyzed using literature review while considering the contextual criteria of industrialized house building. An information modelling method for product platforms and their use in the industrialized house building design process is proposed. The information modeling rationale is synthesized using the design platform modeling and the information delivery manual modeling. The former is a PLM-oriented while the latter is a BIM-oriented information modeling method. The proposed information modeling method is composed of three parts: product platform information model, process maps and exchange requirement specification. Future work should aim for the validation of the proposed information modeling method by application on empirical data in a case study.

Mitigating product data management challenges in the wooden single-family house industry

“…A high prefabrication level implies mainly standard design solutions and a less complex final design phase, whereas a low level of prefabrication implies that the design phase becomes more complex. In addition, the result of the design phase affects the quality of product realization in all subsequent phases and is therefore crucial (Popovic, 2020). To support the design phase in IHB, a platform approach is commonly applied (Jansson et al, 2014;Lessing et al, 2015).…”

“…Standard predefined parts of the product, such as modular components and elements, are based on building systems, which is the underlying core product technology. The predefined parts form commonality across a product range, and their configuration generates product variants that are differentiated by the market (Jansson, 2013;Popovic, 2020). Predefined parts and building systems are solutions that are developed considering the whole lifecycle of products (Persson et al, 2009).…”

“…The product data needs to be managed efficiently through all the product realization phases (Malmgren, 2014). To support this, modern ICT tools can be integrated and manage the product platform in a way that facilitates enhancing value for the customer, such as through increased product quality and performance, while also adding value for the company, for example by reducing operational costs and improving response time (Ekholm & Molnar, 2009;Popovic, 2020). The development of platforms in IHB calls for the use of modern ICT tools as an integrating tool in a new type of house-building process (Ekholm & Molnar, 2009;Popovic, 2020;Popovic et al, 2019).…”

“…Development of platforms in IHB calls for use of modern ICT tools as an integrating tool in a new type of housebuilding process (Ekholm & Molnar, 2009;Popovic, 2020;Popovic et al, 2019). Research indicated that a suitable ICT tool to mitigate challenges with product data management in IHB might be a PLM-system (Aram & Eastman, 2013;Biccari et al, 2018;Boton et al, 2016;Holzer, 2014;Lennartsson et al, 2023;Lennartsson et al, 2020;Mangialardi et al, 2017).…”

“…Unlike the conventional construction sector, where various entities often handle different aspects of a project, IHB takes a more comprehensive approach. This means that IHB companies may manage activities ranging from design and manufacturing to assembly and delivery, giving them greater influence and control over the entire product realization process (Popovic, 2020). From here on, the term IHB will be used to denominate the focused section of the wooden single-family house industry.…”