A Conceptual Framework for Lean Construction and Blockchain Synergy

Abstract

Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology referring to decentralized databases existing across multiple locations and participants, in which the need for intermediaries to process, validate or authenticate transactions is reduced or eliminated. Such transactions are synchronously held by computer nodes in distributed copies, with cryptographic signatures validated through consensus protocols and transparency achieved through peer-to-peer transactional access among the nodes. Blockchain-based applications can be preferred over centralized databases on the basis of high levels of trust, data security, immutability, transparency, and multi-user consensus protocols. There is growing interest in blockchain in the built environment, with a focus on procurement, the management of supply chain project-life cycle, smart cities, intelligent systems, sustainability, and decentralized organizations. However, there is little discussion on whether and how blockchain will affect the advances in lean construction (LC) and vice versa. This paper therefore proposes a framework that establishes interactions between blockchain and lean construction, which can potentially facilitate the implementation of both. It is based on a synthetic literature review. The results indicate that blockchain can facilitate the implementation of LC (e.g., recording and retrieving of Last Planner data), and vice versa (e.g., value stream mapping guiding the integration of blockchain with processes).

Lean and Iot Integration to Improve Flow in Construction Prefabrication: a Proposed Framework

“…Furthermore, it helps to identify the locations and track employees, trucks, and materials, which result in higher productivity and safer site (Gamil et al, 2020;Kumar & Shoghli, 2018;Matteo Giovanardi et al, 2021). Its interaction with lean comes from its ability to improve the visualization of processes and share it with different stakeholders to improve flow, collaboration, problem-solving, error-proofing, and achieving continuous improvement (Dave et al, 2016;Tezel et al, 2022). Therefore, there have been, recently, various efforts to support lean-IoT integration.…”