Implementing BIM to Streamline a Design, Manufacture, and Fitting Workflow

Lean and Building Information Modelling (BIM) have synergies. BIM Implementation demands changes in existing process and procedures for design and construction, representing a technology change, but also a process change. Technology should fit organizational structure and reinforce business process, making the company leaner. This paper presents a BIM Implementation Project through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) between the University of Salford and Links, a design, manufacture and fit-out company based in the UK. A KTP is a program funded by the UK Government to support businesses improvements by accessing universities expertise. The research adopts a case study methodology on a BIM Implementation for Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) at Links. The project aims is to implement BIM as a catalyst for a lean transformation, streamlining process and operations. Started in 2014, the research concluded 3 stages: (A) Process Mapping, (B) Process Analyses using Lean Techniques that identified inefficiencies and waste in the process, as over processing, duplication and unnecessary transportation of information (C) Proposed Process Redesign considering the use of BIM Technologies for workflow improvement. The research results highlight some challenges on the cultural change and the lack of understanding of designers about the manufacturing process (CNC machines constraints). The next steps of this research will be the development of a customized BIM component library interoperable with CNC machines; implement BIM Strategy on a pilot project; and promote workshops to integrate design and fitting teams with the focus on improving DfMA process, reducing cycle time and cost. The analyses suggest that proposed Links BIM workflow from design to manufacture could reduce 30% of the time spent in design from concept to shop drawings. The research recommend focusing on process standardization and metrics to enrich the company process. Therefore, creating the right environment for continuous improvement in a learning organization.