Why don't we start at the beginning?

The Basics of a Project: Lean Planning and Pre-Construction

Published: 15/07/2018

Image source: BIM6d

For a long time, in our training programs, we used our Theory of 10D BIM Dimensions. Contractors, public administration, engineering companies did not understand why we were talking about only 3D, 4D and 5D (even 6D and 7D were confusing dimensions). Where were the other dimensions?

To do this, we developed a cycle that included, in our case, the trident tools / means / purpose, which helped to understand the construction process as digital tools of three-dimensional modelling together with a database, which led to a new way of working that would be called collaborative processes in order to align all the agents that participate in the life cycle of a building or an infrastructure to arrive at the stage of industrialized construction.

Then, our Theory of 10D BIM Dimensions was perfect: the 1D first dimension was the one that implies the implantation of BIM Protocols in a country or organization; the 2D second dimension is based on the introduction of collaborative workflows and it entails the new ways of hiring and create a commitment to integrated management solutions; the 3D dimension deals with digital modelling and to this dimension we add the 3D+ that brings collision identification, reality capture, BIM products, etc. The 4D fourth dimension is about time, temporal planning precisely linked to each of the modeled elements, and links with the 5D fifth dimension that deals with the project economy or how each BIM element is synchronized with its price, its origin, its installation, the costs of its maintenance...

The 6D sixth dimension is one of the battles of our century: the sustainability of our projects and construction focused on its environmental vertex (its CO2 accounting). The 7D seventh dimension is dedicated to operation and maintenance of built facilities and manufactured assets while the 8D eighth dimension, which is the first priority in Nordic countries, is that addressed to the concept of Zero Accident, so safety and health during the project, work and maintenance phase. The 9D ninth dimension is about introducing Lean Management Philosophy into Building Sector, call it Lean Construction.

And all dimensions have a common goal the 10D tenth dimension, to industrialize construction, to transform the construction sector into a more productive sector integrating the new technologies through its digitization.

How can lean and pre-construction processes facilitate the digitization of the construction cycle?

A collection of reluctance and pains prevents property, developers, technicians, and builders from applying good Lean and Pre-Construction planning as a means of advancing and identifying all the problems we will encounter during the project and works, before putting even the first brick.

How can we pay attention to this essential contribution that the current environment provides us?

All these questions were solved in the Digital Built Environment Co-Creation Programme organized by the Process Innovation Forum (PIF) on September, 28 simultaneously in Badalona, Singapore and London. More than 25 attendees joined the 4 teams organized with the aim to detect the pains of the industry and work together with the use of Lean Construction system. Very soon, all the interviews and videos!