On The Role of Lean in Digital Construction

The rapid rise in technologies such as wireless sensor networks, artificial intelligence/machine learning and reality capture has given birth to a new wave of industrial revolution, often labelled Industry 4.0. Research and practice have demonstrated time and again that technology driven innovations only bring partial success, especially when addressing peripheral issues. Lean construction theory and processes support the core construction processes and have the necessary theoretical underpinnings and tools to also support the adoption of digital tools. One of the core aspects of lean construction processes is that it proposes a more robust bottom-up process that is constantly reconciled with the situation on the ground. From this perspective, the construction 4.0 initiatives and lean construction processes can significantly benefit from each other. Their synergies lie across the whole construction process, from early design to construction and later operations and maintenance. In this paper, the authors provide their vision of digital construction practices based on lean theories and methods to support the construction lifecycle. Specific emphasis is on the skills needed within the industry and new roles required to enable and support this vision.