Step-by-Step Modularity – a Roadmap for Building Service Development Copy

Step-by-Step Modularity – a Roadmap for Building Service Development

2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.60164/52p2g6j1n

Author: Mark Sands

Citation:

Sands, M. (2010). “Standards and Measures – Whole-building Metrics Driving Innovation and High Performance.” Lean Construction Journal 2010 pp 1-16.

Abstract:

Purpose — Construction’s coming age of innovation and high performance will naturally flow from the effective development of whole-building standards and measures.

Findings —Construction analysts correctly identify performance-based standards and measures as the missing link to overcoming poor performance throughout the industry. But neither the analysts, nor the industry, have identified the measurement science, technology or structures needed to establish and apply standards, starting with the whole-building as a system.

Limitations — While the proposed approach and technologies will readily adapt to horizontal (roadway), heavy and process oriented construction projects, the science and modelling presented in this paper has been limited to vertical (commercial) building project types.

Implications — The building process lacks standards beyond the commodity measure; i.e., at the point-of-production or trade level. Commodity-based standards and procurement practices necessarily prohibit innovation, leading to high cost and low performance. So, commodity-based standards must be replaced with performance-based standards and practices, wherever performance improvements are needed. The Implication of changing this basis in procurement and contracting will be transformational. Decades of pent up productivity decline will give way to a process that equips, empowers and rewards lean principles from the early planning through the completion of building projects.

Value for Practitioners — Two key indices will result from whole-building standards; the CEI (cost effectiveness index) and BPI (building performance index). Like safety’s the Experience Modification Rate (EMR), these and many other indices will impact the building process and completed building performance. As a result, practitioners will be able to produce much greater value for their customers.

Key Words — Performance Standards and Measures, Function-based BIM, Systems thinking, High Performance, Prediction, Validation and Calibration, Market Average Baseline, Benchmarking, Industry Target, Project Target, Performance-based, Commodity-based.

Paper Type — Forum Paper