Using Lean Theory to Identify Waste Associated with Information Exchanges on a Building Project

Abstract

Building Information Modeling (BIM) provides a means for owners, designers, contractors, and operators to generate, organize and use detailed information throughout a project lifecycle. When properly implemented, these models can improve the efficiency of designs, allow for better feedback from project participants, and improve the accuracy and effectiveness for performing future construction tasks. An important aspect to the success of BIM is the process in which information is exchanged. Information should be both accessible and usable when required. This paper serves to identify categories of information exchange (IE) waste on a building project through the application of lean theory. Using this methodology, a pilot study was performed on a laboratory facility being constructed on The Pennsylvania State University campus. The results determined that lean theory can be applied and adapted to effectively determine IE waste. Future work includes calculating the cost associated with this waste, and converting the waste into an efficient information exchange process.