Restart reset and reinvent

Research lead: Jennifer Whyte and Luigi Mosca

What is the problem?

If the key to transforming the construction sector lies with a move towards increased use of digital engineering capabilities, DfMA and offsite manufacturing, then there is a risk that a significant proportion of the supply chain will be left behind. The UK government has placed the importance of ensuring the SME supply chain stays connected with changes in the sector through a variety of guidance documents and funded programmes, one of these is Transforming Construction Network Plus (N+) programme.

How does our research address this?

The research team at the Centre for Systems Engineering and Innovation recognised the potential for adding significant value to the N+ programme. Working with Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick and University College London (UCL) a collaborative proposal was submitted to Innovate UK.

The successful bid has provided our research team with an excellent opportunity to extend existing research into ways in which DfMA, digital technologies and the development and introduction of new business models can be used to deliver value to infrastructure clients and actively support SME engagement and skills development as part of the process.

Research spans both the national and regional level by mapping the systems integration activities of SMEs across regional supply chains. This approach is providing us with the opportunity to explore the critical success factors in strategic alliances between large and small/medium enterprises (SMEs) in the construction industry. Alliances that will support the adoption of new technology across the supply chain.

What have we achieved so far?

The project builds on research undertaken and published into 'Regional innovation systems and the transformation of construction into a manufacturing process' (Zhang, R., Mosca, L. and Whyte, J. 2019). This work was delivered through the Building Capacity for Systems Integration Royal Academy of Engineering Regional Award. 

With a view to sparking interest and discussion across the sector, the team have distilled findings from their research into two easily accessible Digests; Changing Business Models: Implications for Construction, and Platform Thinking for Construction. The digests provide a clear and easy to understand deconstruction of the relevant considerations for companies of all sizes, as the basis for considering how and why business model change and the adoption of platform technology holds the key to widescale improvements in the construction sector.

As this report goes to print, the research team are collaborating with leading construction, engineering and software companies, and have organized an international webinar to explore how new business models for modern methods of construction are emerging throughout the world and how they are relevant to creating the ‘tipping point’ in the sector envisioned in the UK Transforming Construction Agenda.

What are the future directions for research and industry?

This research project is one of a number of projects being run under the N+ programme. The overall aim being to bring together research academics, industry and policy representatives to establish and develop a new community and body of knowledge to guide the sector through the transformational change needed in the coming years. A key element to this is ensuring all parts of the supply chain are engaged. Our involvement in this research project has established a foundational position that can be developed by engaging with both regional and national policy makers to understand how to collaboratively develop new business models and review, assess and integrate suitable platform approaches to support increased transition to offsite construction.

What is the long term vision for impact?

We face major challenges in the coming years. Climate change is driving urgent policy and regulatory change by governments internationally to reduce emissions and transition towards zero carbon and zero pollution. The construction sector has proven that offsite manufacturing offers significant reductions in carbon emission, energy usage and at the same time reduces project delivery times and accident frequency rate. However, construction supply chains consist of a multitude of smaller businesses and skilled trades people that at present have no connection or involvement with these new approaches. Our research offers an important element to ensuring we can collectively address this problem and support a transition to a robust, secure and inclusive construction industry.

Related researchers: Dr Luigi Mosca, Professor Jennifer Whyte, Dr Panagiotis Angeloudis, Dr Karim Farghaly, Dr Ranjith Soman, Alexander Zhou

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/systems-engineering-innovation/2020/restart-reset-and-reinvent/

Related publications

• Ernstsen, S., Whyte, J., C., T. & & Maier, A. (Forthcoming). How innovation champions frame the future: three visions for digital transformation of construction. Construction Engineering and Management. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001928
• Hsu, P.-Y., Aurisicchio, M., Angeloudis, P. & Whyte, J. (2020). Understanding and visualizing schedule deviations in construction projects using fault tree analysis. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management. (Ahead-of-print). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-01-2020-0058
• Lu, Q., Chen, L., Li, S. & Pitt, M. (2020) Semi-automatic geometric digital twinning for existing buildings based on images and CAD drawings.  Automation in Construction. 115 (103183), 1–19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103183
• Soman, R. & Whyte, J. (2020). Codification challenges for data science in construction. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management. 146 (7). DOI: https://doi.org/04020072.10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0001846
• Soman, R. K., Molina-Solana, M. & Whyte, J. (2020). Linked-Data based Constraint-Checking (LDCC) to support look-ahead planning in construction. Automation in Construction.120, 103369. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2020.103369
• Hall, D.M., Whyte, J. & Lessing, J. (2019) Mirror-breaking strategies to enable digital manufacturing in Silicon Valley construction firms: a comparative case study. Construction Management and Economics. 38 (4), 322-339. DOI: 10.1080/01446193.2019.1656814
• Iuorio, O., Wallace, A. & Simpson, K. (2019) Prefabs in the North of England: Technological, Environmental and Social Innovations, Sustainability.  MDPI. 11 (14), 1–14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su11143884
• Jones, K., Davies, A., Mosca, L., Whyte, J. & Glass, J. (2019) Changing Business Models: Implication for Construction. Transforming Construction Network Plus, Digest Series. 1.
• Wallbaum, M., Whyte, J. & Leutenegger, S. (2019) Deep Learning for Construction Progress Tracking from Visual and Sensed Data: A review of extant solutions and novel approaches in the context of the complete processing pipeline. Final Report to Contilio/Innovate UK.
• Zhang, R., Zhou, S., Tahmasebi, S. & Whyte, J. (2019) Long-standing themes and new developments in offsite construction: The case of UK housing.  Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Civil Engineering. 176 (6), 29–35. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1680/jcien.19.00011
• Hsu, P.Y., Angeloudis, P. & Aurisicchio, M. (2018) Optimal logistics planning for modular construction using two-stage stochastic programming.  Automation in Construction. 94, 47–61. DOI: 10.1016/j.autcon.2018.05.029
• Tee, R., Davies, A. & Whyte, J. (2018) Modular designs and integrating practices: Managing collaboration through coordination and cooperation.  Research Policy. 48 (1), 51–61. DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2018.07.017
• Whyte, J. and Nikolic, D. (2018). Virtual reality and the built environment, 2nd edition, Routledge, Oxon, United Kingdom.
• Sacks, R., Whyte, J., Swissa, D., Raviv, G., Zhou, W. & Shapira, A. (2015) Safety by design: dialogues between designers and builders using virtual reality.  Construction Management and Economics. 33 (1), 55–72. DOI: 10.1080/01446193.2015.1029504