Question: What are the current research topics, patterns, and trends concerning Lean–sustainability integration in modular off-site construction? What are the critical research gaps, challenges, and opportunities for advancing Lean-enabled sustainability in MOC across manufacturing and on-site assembly/construction stages? Purpose: To synthesize and structure the state of knowledge on Lean–sustainability integration in MOC, with a stage-based focus on barriers, opportunities, and the role of digital enablers. Research Method: Systematic Literature Review of 71 peer-reviewed journal articles (2004–2024), combining bibliometric mapping with qualitative thematic coding across off-site manufacturing and on-site assembly stages. Findings: Research emphasizes economic outcomes, shows moderate attention to environmental outcomes, and gives limited treatment to social sustainability. Barriers are stage-dependent: manufacturing challenges relate to standardization and production system design, while on-site assembly emerges as a key bottleneck due to variability, coordination complexity, and workforce constraints. Digital tools (e.g., BIM, analytics, simulation, and integrated delivery approaches) are frequently positioned as enablers but are rarely connected explicitly to sustainability outcomes in a unified framework. Limitations: The review is limited to journal articles and does not empirically validate findings through case studies or field interventions; coding outcomes depend on available reporting detail in the literature. Implications: Advancing sustainable modular construction requires stage-specific Lean strategies and clearer linking of Lean practices and digital enablers to Triple Bottom Line outcomes, especially social sustainability in both factory and site contexts. Value for authors: Provides a stage-based taxonomy that helps practitioners anticipate where Lean implementation typically breaks down (especially during assembly), and where digital practices can be prioritized to reduce variability, improve coordination, and strengthen sustainability performance. Keywords: Modular Off-Site Construction; Lean Construction; Sustainable Development; Triple Bottom Line; BIM; Digital Enablers Paper type: Full paper
Purpose: Project management is a key skill set in construction to support project design and delivery in accordance with contractual requirements. This paper examines competencies sought for construction project managers in Alberta and how these competencies vary and co-occur across contracting parties and industry sectors. This study uses Lean Construction as an analytical framework that treats competency configurations as system-level capabilities required by lean-oriented construction delivery to support flow, reliability, and cross-party coordination. Research Method: A competency framework derived from existing literature was applied to analyze 220 job advertisements. Competency frequency and co-occurrence were examined across contracting parties (owner, consultant, contractor) and industry sectors (building, infrastructure, industrial), with statistical testing used to assess contextual dependency. Findings: Technical, communication, and select managerial competencies were most frequently cited. Owner and consultant postings emphasized technical and communication competencies, whereas contractor postings emphasized communication and managerial competencies. Differences across industry sectors were limited, indicating that delivery role and service scope influence competency demand more strongly than project type. Competencies were commonly specified as role-based configurations that reflect the distinct system-level capabilities each contractual role requires to maintain flow and support planning reliability in lean-oriented construction. Limitations: The study is limited to job advertisements from a single Canadian province and reflects stated employer expectations. Implications: The findings reveal role-differentiated capability configurations across owner, consultant, and contractor roles, reflecting what lean-oriented construction systems require at each delivery stage. A persistent gap is identified between these role-specific system requirements and the relatively uniform way competencies are currently articulated in recruitment practice. Selected competencies are further mapped to lean methods and operational logics, illustrating how each configuration contributes to flow stabilization, variability reduction, and planning reliability across delivery roles. Value for practitioners: The results provide practitioners with market-informed insight into role-specific competency expectations, supporting targeted recruitment, professional development, and role alignment in construction project delivery. Keywords: construction project management; competency framework; job advertisement analysis; contracting party; construction industry Paper type: Full paper
Question: This systematic simulation approach functions as Set-Based Concurrent Engineering (SBCE), suggesting where investment in energy reduction provides maximum value and where it becomes wasteful, underscoring the necessity of Target Value Design (TVD) to find true value. Purpose: The need for research into regulatory efficiency is indicated through growing energy demand from residential buildings, particularly during summer months in Texas environments due to increased frequencies of climatic disasters. Such metrics have prompted this study which investigates the conflict between Lean design processes (TVD) advanced Digitalization techniques (simulation), and Off-Site Construction against the baseline, prescriptive mandates of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code. This research’s core capability rests upon the digitalization and repetition of 180 comparative energy simulations, which identified the optimal energy reduction and energy generation Target Value aimed at the greatest energy reduction capabilities for five major Texas city centers across three distinct climate zones (2A, 3B, and 4A). Research Method: The simulation-derived single component substitutions, optimized scenarios, and the real-world performance of six companies utilizing Off-Site Construction (prefabricated and manufactured units) as their Production System Design for project delivery were benchmarked against the current 2021 IECC metrics. Findings: Although the International Code Council (ICC) codes are effective in ensuring public safety, our analysis suggests that high-performing case studies often fail prescriptive requirements, yet their energy performance has been thought to exceed code minimums when simulated. This oversight is not a flaw, rather a possible Lean trade-off. In this case study, it was found that companies strategically mitigate resources to certain envelope sectors because of over-performance in others. Limitations: Continued research will aim to harness calibrated digital models to better estimate true value saved through off-site means of construction. Implications & Value for practitioners: This research exposes a gap that forces builders to engage in non-value-adding work (Waste), demonstrating that prescriptive regulation can functions against Lean principles by impeding efficient product development and optimal resource allocation aided by performance-based code compliance. Keywords: Energy Efficiency; Housing Regulations; LEAN Construction; Performance-Based Codes Paper type: Full paper
Research Question: What are the results of implementing the integration of Lean Construction and Building Information Modeling methods to improve quality performance? Purpose: To analyze the results of implementing the integration of Lean Construction and Building Information Modeling methods in improving quality performance. Research Method: We used observation and interview methods on the PGRI Semarang University apartment project. Work quality was assessed using the QPASS (Quality Product Assessment) measuring tool. Findings: The qualitative analysis revealed that the integration of Lean Construction with BIM 5D can enhance project quality performance, increasing the QPASS value by up to 90%. Limitations: We limited this research to high-rise construction projects. Project quality was assessed using the QPASS measurement tool. Several Lean Construction and BIM tools were selected, and the benefits of integrating the two methods were analyzed. Implications: By integrating building information modeling and Lean Construction methods, project managers can maintain project quality in accordance with the established quality plan. Value for practitioners: Construction professionals in Indonesia can leverage these findings to enhance quality performance in building construction projects. Keywords: Quality Performance, Integration, Lean Construction, BIM, Construction. Paper type: Case Study.
Question: What happens in the execution of a residential project when daily takt is introduced, and what specific experiences can be drawn to improve future projects? Purpose: This paper examines the implementation of daily takt time in a residential construction project, focusing on how the takt plan was developed and executed. It explores the changes and challenges encountered when transitioning from weekly to daily takt and identifies lessons learned that can improve future use of takt planning. Research Method: Case study Findings: Daily takt introduced challenges such as reduced flexibility, complex coordination, and logistical issues. Key difficulties in the case project included poor planning, inaccurate workload estimates, insufficient subcontractor capacity, problems with digital tools, and limited space. However, with careful planning, subcontractor involvement, logistics alignment, and enhanced management support, daily takt can increase construction efficiency. Limitations: The study’s generalizability is constrained by contextual factors, subjective data sources, market conditions, and the limited scope of existing research on the topic. Implications: While daily takt can significantly improve workflow and efficiency in construction projects, it requires meticulous planning, robust subcontractor involvement, and enhanced management support. Value for practitioners: By presenting lessons learned, the paper serves as a guide for practitioners considering short takt times, helping them to anticipate challenges, refine planning processes, and enhance overall project execution. Keywords: lean construction, daily takt, takt planning, case study Paper type: Full Paper
