Construction has a high potential for value creation, and interest has increased significantly in recent decades. According to a study by the University of Stuttgart, skilled workers spend only about one-third of their working time on the main activities actually assigned, whereas the remaining time is classified as ineffective. Another finding of the study is that about one third of the time is spent on ineffective activities, which can be attributed to logistical problems. It can therefore be concluded that an increase in the efficiency of construction logistics would increase productivity and thus offer enormous potential for time and cost savings.
In order to answer the research question, a literature search was first conducted. Based on this, a content analysis was used to develop some theoretical foundations on the topic of logistics definitions, construction logistics process planning and lean approaches in the construction industry.
The theoretical findings are summarized, delimited and interpreted for phase 8 from the perspective of a construction company. After a formulated transition, in which key points from the literature were put into context, the catalog of requirements is defined. Efficient construction logistics in phase 8 include precise preparation, motivated employees for planning and implementation, and the construction logistics themselves, which is why the final catalog of requirements is divided into three categories.
After the research question has been elaborated, the catalog is applied on the basis of the Probat Bau AG use case in order to review and optimize the current logistics approach. Based on interviews with a construction manager and the responsible logistics manager, the company structure and logistics processes of the group of companies are first broken down. Subsequently, a qualitative comparison between the current actual state and the theoretical target state is evaluated. The catalog points out some optimization possibilities which are recommended to the construction company.
Probat Logistik GmbHs approach has a high human error rate due to a lack of digitization. The introduction of ON!TRACK 3.0 by the Hilti Group promises a possible solution, whereby this is being accompanied in a test phase. Even if the test phase should classify the actual added value, this is not meaningful enough for a company´s decision at the current state. Nevertheless, it´s possible to predict a theoretically likely surplus in value. Finally, a qualitative comparison of the requirements catalog with a theoretically new actual state is repeatedly performed and critically reviewed.
The combination of conventional construction logistics planning and modern Lean Construction implementation approaches allows the existing potential to be achieved. In the future, with further innovations such as Building Information Modeling and ongoing digitalization, the construction industry and especially construction logistics will undergo a major transformation in terms of increased efficiency.
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Construction has a high potential for value creation, and interest has increased significantly in recent decades. According to a study by the University of Stuttgart, skilled workers spend only about one-third of their working time on the main activities actually assigned, whereas the remaining time is classified as ineffective. Another finding of the study is that about one third of the time is spent on ineffective activities, which can be attributed to logistical problems. It can therefore be...
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