Reducing Change Orders Due to Design Errors Through Integrated BIM and Lean Construction

Abstract

Design errors in construction projects using traditional methods in Iraq have led to an increase in the number of claims and change orders, and thus to an increase in costs and completion times in recent years. Integration using Building Information Modelling (BIM) is one of the modern digital approaches for early estimation of project scheduling and design within Lean Construction supporting the global trend toward more agile and efficient buildings, and this may offer a solution to the current construction problems in Iraq. The research problem in this work thus revolves around the reliance of various project parties on traditional methods in both design and implementation processes, leading to an underuse of the facilities provided by modern methods. The research objective here was to assist stakeholders in adopting a new approach as a way to promote success factors in construction projects and to reduce the number of claims and change orders. Seven construction projects at the University of Diyala were used as a case study, with the research methodology focusing on the application mechanisms of the necessary interactions between BIM and Lean Construction on such projects, thus exploring the possible advantages of this fusion. Digital (3D) usage for buildings was emphasised during the design process along with the detection of clashes and design errors, and the use of 4D models to explore the necessary sequence of implementation for tasks without wasting time, equipment, and materials. Utilising BIM was thus shown to be a feasible way implement a lean philosophy on projects such as those at Diyala University, preventing increases in the overall contract cost by around 15.5% and extensions to contract duration by around 16%, based on preventing 85 out of 125 possible change orders.