BPO PROJECT CONTROL
THE NEXT LEVEL OF LEAN CONSTRUCTION
From Lean Construction, through Last Planner®, to takt planning, many optimization methods are already in use today. However, these methods are not always easy to apply. Project work is still carried out using planning boards, plug-in cards or Excel lists. The potential of new, digital media to simplify the flow of information remains unused. The transfer of optimization processes into easy-to-use digital tools is missing. The digitization of Lean methods means taking the next step in the development history of process optimization.
With BPO PROJECT CONTROL, framework scheduling, planning and even the Last Planner® can be carried out digitally in just one system. The system replaces similar planning procedures that base on Excel lists, Post its or plug-in cards by integrating all parties involved in the planning process in real-time.
All information is available digitally and can be made available to subcontractors via an app. During construction, performance statuses can be recorded and made available in real time for the project management.
Capacity bottlenecks can be detected and deadline postponements can be forwarded directly. All parties involved always stay up-to-date. For this purpose, the most important parameters such as costs, supplier reliability and quality are clearly displayed in real time in the management cockpit. Every day, comprehensive documentation and a clear analysis of the construction site are created at the push of a button. This results in a target-performance comparison of construction progress in real time, not only in the evaluation phase. Planning and controlling projects has never been so easy.
BPO SYSTEM MODULES
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SCHEDULE & MILESTONES
– Define project period and divide into phases
– Adopt contractually defined milestones
– Select working days and holidays
BIM, SCHEDULING & ROUGH PLANING
In the first step, the framework schedule is digitally mapped and converted into a
construction schedule or project plan. Important milestones and different
construction phases can be defined in one place. All processes
are considered with the respective capacity.
BPO PROJECT CONTROL calculates the actual capacity utilization required for
each process over a variable time horizon. If bottlenecks occur, the capacity
can be expanded in a targeted manner or milestones can be postponed
to cope with the given resources. The system uses a special algorithm
that is based on artificial intelligence (AI) and can also equalize
capacities. Based on this project schedule, deployment
plans for the respective trades can be derived and
the deployment times can be coordinated with the
subcontractors. Everything stays up-to-date.
DATA TRANSFER WITH BIM SYSTEM
BPO project control is a combination of Lean methods and
state-of-the-art software. BPO is individually expandable and
enables data exchange with 5D & BIM systems.
DIGITAL LAST PLANNER SYSTEM
LAST PLANNER® & DETAILED PLANNING
During the regular Last Planner® session, the tasks of the next week are planned in detail. Foremen and subcontractors are able to plan interactively and digitally together with the project management. For this purpose, the conventional planning board is replaced by the digital planning board. Each participant can digitally place task packages in the BPO planning board via his tablet PC or laptop. All entries are synchronized in real-time with all devices. The placement and confirmation of work packages is just as easy as sticking a Post-it to the conventional planning board. A comprehensive authorization system ensures that only desired changes can be made. At the end of the Last Planner® session, the detailed information is synchronized without delay to the rough planning and also to the contractual schedule. Manual forwarding of information or post-processing is no longer needed. When the session has ended, all foremen and trades receive the respective work packages via app to their smartphones. The manual forwarding of information by telephone or e-mail is no longer needed anymore.
1. Planning in the cloud
The contractual schedule is digitally mapped. At the beginning of the Last Planner® session, it is transformed into a project plan by the team.
2. Interactive cycle planning
All activities are divided into work packages according to the Last Planner® system in the weekly meeting.
3. Distribution of operating times
All operational data is sent to the foreman and the subcontractors. All tasks and site plans are also included.
4. Update schedules
All project participants are informed about changes in schedule via app and in real-time.
5. Communication
Information can be quickly and easily exchanged. Communication is done via the integrated message center
6. Recording of the work status
During the construction phase, workers can report their working status to the project management via app.
CONSTRUCTION & REAL-TIME SYSTEM
Task Scheduling
All work packages of the next days are sent to subcontractors and automatically updated in case of any schedule change.
Coordination
All deployment data is provided to the foremen’s smartphones including a precise description of the work to be carried out.
Progress Report
The construction progress on site is recorded by the workers and the statuses, including photo documentation, is sent to the project management.
Target/Actual
Comparison in Real-Time Construction progress reports can be compared with the planning according to BIM. Possible delays are early detectable.
Work Approval
The site management approves the performance reports, documents if there is a need for rework and releases the work packages for invoicing.
Communication
Information goes out to all subcontractors using simple chat messages between all participants.
Operational PlanVia APP
During construction, the app displays all operational data and a site plan. The work status can be recorded and is made available for the next construction meeting and the project management. Schedule postponements are forwarded without delay. Completed services can be released to subcontractors for invoicing.
Simplified Communication
The integrated message center enables the immediate reaction to problems and delays in the construction process. The communication can take place between the general contractor, the project management and the foremen. For quality control purposes, photo documentation is also possible, which is available to the project managers in the analysis. The assignment of the information to the respective components already enables Building Information Modelling (BIM) today.
ANALYSIS, BIM & OPTIMIZATION
Following a construction site tour and the acceptance of the performance reports by the project management, delays are directly visible. Time bottlenecks can be identified and the project manager can more easily take countermeasures and simulate their effects on the critical path and completion date. With this background knowledge, it is easier to moderate the next Last Planner® session and better support the trades in planning the next work packages. The real-time target/actual comparison minimizes the time lag between the current state of construction and planning. This enables fast and precise reactions. The comprehensive documentation also helps to reduce the number of notifications of defects and rework. BPO Project Control enables a unique digitalization of operational construction processes and provides important data that is passed on to the digital twin of the building in real-time. Therefore, BPO Project Control closes the operational digitization gap and for the first time enables continuous Building Information Modelling (BIM) by intelligently implementing Lean Construction on the building site.
