Application of Axiomatic Design and Design Structure Matrix for Early Identification of Changes in Construction Projects

Changes are inevitable in construction projects. The primary cause of these changes includes inadequate requirements briefing, interdependencies, iterative loops, inadequate knowledge of construction methods, and the delayed inputs of information from interface teams. Parameters play an essential role in change communication. They are not only related to design but also depict and guide design processes. Changes can be better understood through modeling parameters relationships. Axiomatic Design (AD) and Design Structure Matrix (DSM) are two popular matrix-based modeling concepts that can model changes from a parameter perspective. AD guides the designers to examine changes by modeling requirements and parameters relationships in a structured manner from early design stages. DSM provides a methodology for analyzing changes through modeling interactions among the parameters. In spite of potential benefits of matrix-based approaches, previous studies have not dealt with combining AD and DSM for project change management research. Thus, the objective of this study is to conduct an in-depth investigation of these matrix-based design concepts to understand their applicability for better control on changes in construction projects. To achieve this objective, this study utilized a case study research method and data are collected from the ongoing metro underground project. A plant room design change case is taken up for illustration of the proposed framework. The novelty and unique contribution of this research work is development of AD-DSM framework to identify changes and its propagations due to functional and information couplings at conceptual design phase of construction projects. Changes that arises at later stages of project can be avoided and negative impacts can be minimized. The present study models the relationship of design parameters for accurate identification of changes. Changes can be tracked and scheduled early to minimize errors during implementation. © 2022, The Institution of Engineers (India).