Investigating Critical Non-Value Adding Activities and Their Resulting Wastes in BIM-Based Project Delivery

Longhui Liao, Evelyn Ai Lin Teo, Ruidong Chang and Linhui Li
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Longhui Liao: Sino-Australia Joint Research Center in BIM and Smart Construction, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Evelyn Ai Lin Teo: Department of Building, School of Design and Environment, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117566, Singapore
Ruidong Chang: School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide 5005, Australia
Linhui Li: Bank of China Limited Singapore Branch, Singapore 049908, Singapore

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-20

Abstract: Building information modeling (BIM) is deemed a useful innovation for technological and sustainable development of the economy. It is partially used in building projects in Singapore, although its implementation is mandated by the local government, resulting in various wastes and suboptimal productivity. Little is known about how non-value adding (NVA) BIM implementation practices were perceived by the local practitioners and how these practices affected productivity in building projects in Singapore. This study aimed to identify critical NVA BIM implementation activities and investigate the criticality of their resulting wastes to productivity performance in the current project delivery process in Singapore. The results from a questionnaire survey of 73 experts and four post-survey interviews in Singapore revealed that 38 NVA BIM implementation activities were deemed critical, among which “lack of involvement by contractors to contribute site knowledge” in the design development phase was ranked top; the top five resulting wastes with highest criticalities were reworks/abortive works, requests for information, design deficiencies, defects, and waiting/idle time. Furthermore, an independent-samples t -test was conducted to examine whether construction firms and upfront stakeholders perceived the NVA activities differently. It was discovered that most NVA activities exerted more agreement from construction firms than upfront non-construction organizations. Six strategies were proposed to mitigate the NVA activities and wastes. The findings can help practitioners identify weak areas of their BIM implementation practices and prioritize resources accordingly to eliminate the wastes and foster sustainability, as well as help overseas project teams, with minor adjustments, customize their own NVA BIM implementation activities and management strategies.

Keywords: non-value adding; waste; building information modeling (BIM); implementation; project lifecycle; sustainability; productivity; construction firm (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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