Abstract
Logistics practices are processes that require alignment and coordination among project actors to support successful construction operations. While recent research has underlined the effects of single material logistics practices on project performance, practitioners need more knowledge on development paths toward successful overall logistics solutions. Based on a review of current practices obtained from the literature, this research proposes the maturity levels of planning, organizing, operating, use of technology, and information flow regarding the logistics practices in construction. Moreover, the study devises a recommended order for implementing logistics practices and investigates how companies can advance their logistics maturity from one level to the next. The proposed model has been validated via case examples from the industry. The paper contributes to construction logistics research by describing how companies can navigate development efforts to gradually improve their logistics practices. Future research could conduct more case studies within different project contexts.
Highlights
Prompt and efficient material flow is crucial for successful construction operations as it ensures that the on-site workforce will receive the required materials at the required time
For an optimal order of logistics practices, the companies began their efforts toward better logistics by having a fruitful planning phase in which they tried to make the schedule available and complete the bill of quantities (BOQ)
Building on previously developed maturity models in the logistics field, the model developed in this research was based on similar themes, it focused more on themes that are of relevance to construction logistics, such as planning, organizing, operations, use of technology and information flow
Summary
Prompt and efficient material flow is crucial for successful construction operations as it ensures that the on-site workforce will receive the required materials at the required time. Previous studies estimate that cost savings between 10 and 30% can be obtained through specific efficient logistics practices (Said and El-Rayes 2014; Tetik et al, 2019). Because of the fragmented organizing of construction operations, subcontractors often order and manage project materials themselves. This fragmentation and lack of coordination has led to a situation in which only around 40% of material deliveries are executed with accurate information, location, and time (Thunberg and Persson 2014)
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