Method for managing requirements in healthcare projects using building information modelling

Juliana Parise Baldauf,Carlos Torres Formoso,Patricia Tzortzopoulos

doi:10.1108/ecam-12-2020-1040

Juliana Parise Baldauf, Carlos Torres Formoso + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1108/ecam-12-2020-1040

Copy DOI

Abstract

PurposeThis paper proposes a method for managing client requirements with the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM). The development of healthcare projects demands a large amount of requirements information, in order to deal with a diversity of clients and frequents changes in healthcare services. The proposed method supports healthcare design by adopting a process-based approach for client requirements management, with the aim of improving value generation.Design/methodology/approachDesign Science Research was the methodological approach adopted in this investigation. The main outcome of this study emerged from an empirical study carried out in a healthcare project in Brazil.FindingsThe proposed method involves three stages: (1) capturing and processing requirements; (2) product and requirements modelling, which involves the connection between requirements and the BIM 3-D model and (3) supporting design solution refinement, through the communication of requirements and the assessment of design in relation to updated client requirements information.Originality/valueThis study explores client requirements management from a process perspective, proposing activities and their interdependences and possible sources of data, including healthcare services information. The main theoretical contributions are related to the understanding of the nature and complexity of the information involved in client requirements management, and how this can be modelled.

Highlights

In highly complex and dynamic construction environments, such as healthcare projects, client requirements management can help improve value generation (Parsanezhad et al, 2016), one of the main goals of the Lean Philosophy
Designers and construction managers pointed out difficulties in the management of the project due to the fact that it is challenging to consider all needs communicated by a wide variety of users, who have conflicting and evolving requirements
The head emergency department (ED) physician pointed out that important user requirements have not been considered in the design of the new ED, e.g.: (1) the main healthcare flows, which had not been fully defined during building design; (2) some specific uses of the new ED as an university hospital had not been clearly defined, mostly due to the limited participation of medical staff in design definitions and (3) some furniture and equipment had not been defined

Summary

Introduction

In highly complex and dynamic construction environments, such as healthcare projects, client requirements management can help improve value generation (Parsanezhad et al, 2016), one of the main goals of the Lean Philosophy. Value generation is the result of a cycle in which requirements are captured and converted into a product or service delivered to clients (Koskela, 2000). In healthcare projects, this requires both capturing the needs of different stakeholders, and understanding the relationships of the built environment and healthcare services (Sengonzi et al, 2009; Hicks et al, 2015). The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/ legalcode

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion