IGLC 6 · Guarujá, Brazil · 1998

On the Agenda of Design Management Research

  1. Research Director, Lean Construction Institute, 4536 Fieldbrook Road, Oakland, CA 94619. Phone: 510/530-8656. E-mail: ballard@ce.berkeley.edu
  2. Senior Researcher, VTT Building Technology, P.O. Box 1801, FIN-02044 VTT, Finland. Phone: +358-9-456 4556. E-mail: lauri.koskela@vtt.fi

Abstract

We propose an agenda for design management research. That agenda is based on a new conceptual foundation for operations management. Design processes can be conceived in at least three different ways: (1) as a process of converting inputs to outputs, (2) as a flow of materials and information through time and space, and (3) as a process of generating value for customers. All three conceptions are appropriate and necessary. However, the conversion model has been dominant in the AEC (architectural/engineering/construction) industry until very recently. We review current thinking and practice of design management, suggest fundamental hypotheses, then propose an agenda for design management research based on those hypotheses.

Keywords

  • Design management
  • concurrent engineering
  • value management
  • project management

Cite this paper

APA 7th edition

Ballard, G., & Koskela, L. (1998). On the Agenda of Design Management Research. In 6th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction.

Shortened reference for IGLC papers

Ballard, G., & Koskela, L. (1998). On the Agenda of Design Management Research. IGLC6.