Waste elimination and value management framework based on lean design methods

Abstract

Complex design processes depend on vast amounts of information, decline productivity, and cause multiple interruptions in resources and information flows. Design-related problems have been commonly studied from Lean Design Management (LDM) perspective that involves custom-er value, design processes, and cognitive management issues. LDM is built on the lean construction paradigm, which adopts lean production theories, principles, and practices. That provides stakeholders with problem-solving techniques and knowledge management methods at various levels of analysis (organizational, strategic, and tactical levels). Based on LDM, several social and technical measures can be applied to tackle waste and provide value for the final customer. This paper briefly reviews design-context wastes according to LDM perspectives. In this context, a conceptual model is provided that assembles LDM methods Target Value Design (TVD), Last Planner System (LPS), and Building Information Modelling (BIM). Three research gaps were detected in the reviewed methods. Firstly, there is a lack of adaptations of LDM methods toward standards for managing BIM digital assets. More research is needed to expand those methodologies to assist the decision-making processes of the involved parties in managing the construction of digital assets. Secondly, the current design task management methods adapted from agile software management and LDM are "far away from the addressing construction design peculiarities. Third, transactional audit using blockchain technology is required to secure money flow among cross-functional organizations. This research provides opportunities for applying LDM during design decision-making processes, especially TVD and LPS.