Investigating conflicts of expert contractors using the last planner system in building information modeling process

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to increase the integrity of the planning process with the executive process by simulating the Last Planner System (LPS) technique using building information modeling.

Design/methodology/approach

A five-dimensional model was prepared, and after specifying the number of physical conflicts on the plans, all the scenarios of the starting points in the expert contractors’ plans were analyzed. Accordingly, the best scenario was determined by LPS technique. To assess the performance of the study, it was implemented on several tasks of a construction project.

Findings

The results of this research indicate that if this method is used in the planning process, the time conflicts between the expert contractors who are in the critical path are reduced, and the total delay of the scheduled time reaches zero. In addition, the conflicts between contractors whose suspension will cause no incentive and increase the daily cost overruns will reduce to the lowest point.

Originality/value

By simulating LPS in the planning process, time-physical conflicts are considered at the lowest point. Using this approach, conflicts are detected before the execution process, resulting in a significant reduction in the delays and cost overruns in construction projects.

Citation

Amany, A., Taghizade, K. and Noorzai, E. (2020), "Investigating conflicts of expert contractors using the last planner system in building information modeling process", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 18 No. 6, pp. 1381-1402. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-09-2019-0223