Standardisation in the construction industry
Standardisation involves: ‘The use of modules, assemblies, components, interfaces, methods or processes that are repeated through a project and from project to project. Standardisation benefits from the use of continuous improvement processes.’ Ref BIM Overlay to the RIBA Outline Plan of Work, published by the RIBA in 2012.
The UN Procurement Practitioner's Handbook, produced by the Interagency Procurement Working Group (IAPWG) in 2006 and updated in 2012 suggests that standardisation (or standardisation) is:
‘The process of agreeing on a standard specification for a specific product or line of products. Usually conducted to achieve economies of scale, compatibility with other products, facilitation of operation, maintenance, and repair of already purchased goods, etc. Standardisation could result in sole or limited source situations; this should be a consideration in the decision for standardisation.’
In the construction industry, the term 'standards' typically refers to published documents that are intended to define the common specifications, methods and procedures that are to be used. By establishing common standards, greater reliability and consistency is ensured in terms of the quality, compatibility and compliance of the particular product, service, material, and so on.
For more information see: Standards
NB DfMA Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, Mainstreaming Design for Manufacture and Assembly in Construction, 2nd Edition, published by the RIBA in 2021, states: ‘In the context of DfMA (design for manufacture and assembly), standardisation involves quality-assured systems and processes that govern design, manufacturing and assembly inputs with the objective of improving the reliability, speed, consistency and efficiency of digital and physical outputs, making it possible to achieve economies of scale. With CIP, the extent of the benefits is refined over time.’
Commercial Continuous Improvement Assessment Framework, published by HM Government in May 2021, defines standardisation as: ‘The process of setting generally uniform characteristics for a particular good or service to improve value and streamline procurement activity.’
[edit] Related articles
- ASTM International.
- British Standards Institution.
- Continuous improvement.
- Hybrid building.
- Interoperability.
- Kit house.
- Modern methods of construction.
- Modular.
- Off-site construction.
- Platform approach.
- Pod.
- RIBA Plan of Work.
- RIBA.
- Standard.
- Standardising structural elements: A platform for construction innovation.
- The Construction Playbook.
- Volumetric.
Featured articles and news
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
How to write an inspection and test plan
ITPs for quality control and assurance particular elements.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.
Winners of the 2024 ASBP Awards
Project, Product and Initiative according to the 6 pillars.
Comments
Reference to the RIBA source should be 'RIBA Plan of Work 2013 Designing for Manufacture and Assembly'