Developing a Construction-Oriented DfMA Deployment Framework

Abstract

Applying design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA) principles in the construction industry has gained attention in recent years. Studies convey that the application of DfMA in construction projects can significantly enhance overall productivity. However, the literature on construction-oriented DfMA is still limited, and its application in real-life projects has been stifled due to various constraints. Following a design science research method, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify the construction-oriented DfMA implementation challenges. To address these challenges, a construction-oriented DfMA framework was theorized, verified in a project-based context, and validated through focus group discussions with off-site construction industry experts. In this study, 45 challenges were identified and categorized into eight main constraint categories: contractual, technological, procedural, cultural, commercial, geographical, financial, and technical/cognitive. The foremost challenges to the adoption of DfMA in construction projects seems to relate to the contractual and operational aspects and their associated stakeholders. This study provides insight into the challenges of implementing DfMA in the construction industry. The investigated challenges contribute to the theoretical and practice-based checklists of limitations for implementing DfMA methods and can inform future research. Finally, this paper introduces a framework for implementing DfMA and provides supporting field-based evidence for its application.