Lean Contributions to BIM Processes: The Case of Clash Management in Highways Design

Abstract

Managing design is still considered a challenge and few design and construction companies apply Lean and BIM in an integrated manner to support it. The interactions of Lean and BIM have been explored for more than 10 years. Despite this, most of the practical and theoretical discussions have focused on BIM capabilities' and features' contributions to Lean goals and techniques. Therefore, this paper aims to explore and discuss Lean contributions to BIM processes, which is still missing in the analysed context. Initial findings of an ongoing research project on exploring Lean and BIM synergies in the UK are presented. The investigation adopts case study as its research strategy, while exploring the potential implementation of Lean into the BIM-based clash management in highways design. The paper contributes to knowledge by determining how Lean could reduce waste and increase value of a clash detection and resolution process. The results indicate that Lean can contribute to the BIM processes, beyond the BIM capabilities and features, to support BIM process improvements. The wide range of intervention opportunities in BIM processes from a Lean perspective needs further investigation for Lean to have a firmer place in BIM discussions.