An Investigation of Critical Factors for BIM-based Principles for Onsite Sequencing and Assembly Processes

Design buildability is an important aspect of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) to examine the sequence of building or construction activities, prefabrication opportunities, and onsite assembly. The lack of tight integration between the assembly process and existing digital solutions, however, is a significant gap in onsite sequencing and assembly. This paper explores the critical factors for Building Information Modelling (BIM) based principles and other digital technologies that can support DfMA for appropriate decision-making in onsite sequencing and assembly. The literature review reveals the existing approaches to onsite sequencing and assembly (OSA), as well as identifies their missing key capabilities/features. Although BIM-based initiatives exist for various construction purposes, BIM for onsite sequencing and assembly has not received the required attention from academia and industry, and a qualitative study was conducted to understand gaps in construction sequencing, onsite assembly practices, and industry practitioners' expectations. The study identified 14 factors for streamlining onsite sequencing and assembly using existing BIM capabilities or principles, categorising them into four groups based on their relationships and interconnections. The study's findings are expected to enhance understanding of BIM principles and other technologies for onsite sequencing and assembly among construction professionals, including contributing to the existing knowledge of onsite assembly in a BIM environment.