Project and production management Intersection: Life-Cycle analysis of on-site and off-site construction

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide an argument for moving beyond calls for increased construction industry productivity based on the perceived differences between construction projects and manufacture production. Traditionally scholars have claimed that the lack of increased construction industry productivity is attributable to the differences between on-site work and off-site work. However, in 2011 project processes and product outcomes are essential to both. As management theories have become integrated into practice in both industries, the management of both a unique project and product-production have converged. At the same time, almost all construction today utilises both on-site and off-site processes. Therefore, the driver for increased off-site manufacture to ensure increased industry productivity must be reconsidered. One way forward would be to consider issues related to reducing the environmental impacts of construction. That is the aim of this discussion paper. Many researchers have identified difficulties with communication between on-site and off-site production. However, if the focus of productivity gains shifts to measuring environmental impact, based on a Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA), then both the tangible and intangible effects of both on-site and off-site work can be compared. Thus, over-coming identified difficulties with a common language based on LCA could enable co-operative on and off site production. This co-operation could in turn to lead to increased industry productivity. The paper ends by providing a LCA focused research agenda to provide evidence for reconsidering the claim that increasing off-site manufacture will increase construction industry productivity.