Open AccessUsing the Last Planner System to tackle the social aspects of BIM-enabled MEP coordination
Author(s) -
Patrícia Tillmann
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
canadian journal of civil engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.323
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1208-6029
pISSN - 0315-1468
DOI - 10.1139/cjce-2018-0424
Subject(s) - context (archaeology) , process management , clarity , building information modeling , rework , accountability , knowledge management , action research , teamwork , engineering , engineering management , computer science , systems engineering , operations management , management , paleontology , biochemistry , chemistry , political science , law , scheduling (production processes) , economics , biology , embedded system
The aim of this research was to expand the current understanding of social aspects related to the successful adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to support mechanical–electrical–plumbing (MEP) coordination and identify contributions of the Last Planner System (LPS) to tackle these aspects. The paper presents an action-research project carried out by a mechanical contractor. This study revealed that successful BIM-enabled MEP coordination depends not only on efforts to coordinate the model itself, but also on how effectively it is used during the installation phase. Social elements that influenced the effectiveness of BIM-enabled MEP coordination were classified in three categories: clarity of roles and responsibilities, individual vs. collective project leadership, and the existence of agreed-upon processes to follow. In such context, the LPS contributed to strengthening teamwork, providing a structure for increased communication and accountability, and helping the project team to focus on problem-solving. Consequently, the model was used more effectively, reducing rework and improving field productivity.