Understanding construction as a complex and dynamic system: an adaptive network approach
conference paper
Construction can be characterised as a specific type of project industry, with specific
features concerning the production, such as temporality, bounded location, and one-off
products. The industry can be analogised as a nexus from which parties connect in
temporary “project networks” bringing together numerous production factors needed for
specific projects. In this paper, construction is viewed from an adaptive network
perspective, bringing together various conceptual angles. The adaptive network approach
is based on the emergence of flexible patterns in a quasi-structured manner. It attempts to
assist in the control of fixed patterns whilst relying on self-regulation, which, in practice,
often leads to chaos. In a construction environment, which differs from that of
manufacturing, production systems need to be adaptive to changes from both inside and
outside of the system, but need to reduce the inherent risk of chaos caused by the unstable
nature of the production environment of construction. The management challenge for
these types of production environments is to balance between a minimum level of
predictability and controllability with a maximum level of flexibility and emergence. The
adaptive network approach is discussed to be an appropriate model for the effective
management of construction projects.
features concerning the production, such as temporality, bounded location, and one-off
products. The industry can be analogised as a nexus from which parties connect in
temporary “project networks” bringing together numerous production factors needed for
specific projects. In this paper, construction is viewed from an adaptive network
perspective, bringing together various conceptual angles. The adaptive network approach
is based on the emergence of flexible patterns in a quasi-structured manner. It attempts to
assist in the control of fixed patterns whilst relying on self-regulation, which, in practice,
often leads to chaos. In a construction environment, which differs from that of
manufacturing, production systems need to be adaptive to changes from both inside and
outside of the system, but need to reduce the inherent risk of chaos caused by the unstable
nature of the production environment of construction. The management challenge for
these types of production environments is to balance between a minimum level of
predictability and controllability with a maximum level of flexibility and emergence. The
adaptive network approach is discussed to be an appropriate model for the effective
management of construction projects.
TNO Identifier
330788
Source title
Proceedings 12th Annual Lean Construction Conference (IGLC-12), Helsingor, Denmark, 3-5 August
Pages
1-12
Files
To receive the publication files, please send an e-mail request to TNO Repository.