Planning the building design process according to Level of Development

Abstract

Question: Q1: What characterizes planning of the building design process in different industries today? Q2: How do the challenges of planning in the building design process stand out from other industries? Q3: How can planning in the building design process be improved? Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to compare the design process in three different industries: 1) Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC), 2) Offshore Construction (OC), and 3) Ship Building (SB), and from that learn how the AECindustry can improve building design management. Research Method: A comparative case study using one case from each industry (AEC, OC and SB) with interviews and a case-specific document study were conducted. In total, thirty-two semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to collect the analysed data from the three cases. Finally, a focus group interview with ten participants was carried out to test and develop a conceptual model. Findings: This paper presents an analysis of the differences between design processes in the three industries and proposes a conceptual model for how building design management can be planned according to the Level of Development (LOD). Limitations: The study is limited to single case studies in companies in three different industries. Implications: The use of the proposed conceptual model with the LOD could improve planning of the building design process. Value for authors: This paper gives project practitioners an insight into how the LOD can be used to structure the planning process and improve the design process. Keywords: Level of Development, Collaborative planning, Design maturity, Building design management.