Optimized Integration of Lean Construction, Building Information Modeling, and Facilities Management in Developing Countries: A Case of Qatar

Abstract

Over the past decades, the construction industry has benefited from implementing Lean Construction (LC) principles, extensive usage of Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools, and application of advanced Facilities Management (FM) theories as standalone packages. Recently, integrated applications of LC, BIM, and FM have attracted a lot of attention. While progress has been made, few researchers have attempted to develop a method for optimizing integrated applications of LC, BIM, and FM in developing countries. In addition, relatively little is known about the hindrances and challenges in integrating LC, BIM, and FM at various levels of inquiry. The current study contributes to these gaps by examining the challenges that hinder developing countries from adopting integrated applications of LC, BIM, and FM. Qatar, a rapidly developing economy, was used as a case illustration. In the present study, drivers for enabling optimized integration of LC, BIM, and FM were identified. A closed-ended survey was conducted to investigate and understand contextual and organizational factors that hinder the integration of LC, BIM, and FM at three levels of inquiry. Findings displayed that lack of communication skills, language barriers, and inappropriate training provided to low-level skilled workers were the most prominent hindrances. To this end, an integrated communication and collaborative environment for bridging the communication gap was outlined. Furthermore, the wide disparity in the levels of awareness, readiness, and implementation of LC, BIM, and FM across construction companies was identified as a major challenge in deploying and disseminating succinct knowledge on how to optimize the integration of LC, BIM, and FM. To resolve challenges, an integrated collaborative platform for disseminating differentiated knowledge and information on how to seamlessly integrate LC, BIM, and FM was developed. This integrated collaborative platform can be used by authorities to monitor progress and productivity in the construction industry. The significance of this study lies in providing a basis for organizations that intend to implement LC, BIM, and FM in an integrated manner.