Adaptation of the Value Stream Optimization Approach to Collaborative Company Networks in the Construction Industry

While in the automotive or aerospace industry the use of automation technology and processes and the application of lean manufacturing methods are common nowadays, the construction industry is lagging behind these developments. In this context, with the help of value stream design, largely known in mass production but recently also in variant intensive manufacturing, the process flows within single companies but especially amongst the partners in such a collaborative network can be designed in a highly customer-oriented and efficient way [1]. Therefore, this paper describes in detail a methodology to design an integrated and customized value stream map for construction industries requirements. The approach was developed and verified based on a collaborative project of applied research with the acronym “build4future”.