4D Design and Simulation Technologies and Process Design Patterns to Support Lean Construction Methods

The objective of this ongoing joint research program is to determine how 3D/4D modeling, simulation and visualization of Products (buildings), Organizations and Processes (POP) can support lean construction. Initial findings suggest that Process Design Pattern may have the potential to intuitively support ICT based lean construction. We initiated a "Process Archeology" in order to reveal the requirements for tools that can support the planning, simulation and control of lean construction methods. First findings show that existing tools provide only limited support and therefore, we started to develop new methodologies and technologies to overcome these shortcomings. Through the introduction of Process Design Patterns, we intent to establish process thinking in the interdisciplinary POP design. Optimized construction processes may be synthesized with semi-automatic methods by applying Process Design Patterns on building structures. By providing process templates that integrate problem solution and expert knowledge, Process Design Patterns may have the potential to ensure high quality process models.