Supply chain implications of platform strategies in construction

Platform strategies have been applied in manufacturing to achieve goals of
agile and lean production, mass customisation and modular product development. These have
had basic consequences for supply chains in manufacturing. This paper explores the basic
characteristics of platform strategies as applied in manufacturing, including the concepts of
postponement, decoupling and modularisation. As in manufacturing, application of platform
strategies to construction requires a reconfiguration of the supply chain. Characteristics of the
construction supply chain, traditionally: converging, early differentiation, late assembly,
make-to-order, complex product with long life cycle, etc. For platform strategies to be applied
inter-organisational multi-project arrangement must be introduced between firms that produce
the end product to the final customer through as “factory without walls”. For this the concepts
of the extended enterprise and the modular production network are introduced. This is
illustrated through the examples of Open Building as a form of platform strategy applied to
construction. By its specific product and process co-ordination, Open Building can be
explained and typified as a platform strategy that promotes flexibility and agility in the
building process and product by delayed differentiation. From the case the supply chain
implications of platform strategies in construction are indicated and discussed. In conclusion,
further directions are given for the research of platform strategies and extended enterprises in
construction supply chain