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 standardization (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. Standardization could result in sole or limited source situations; this should be a consideration in the decision for standardization.’

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

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• ASTM International.
• British Standards Institution.
• Continuous improvement.
• Hybrid building.
• Kit house.
• Modern methods of construction.
• Modular.
• Off-site construction.
• Pod.
• RIBA Plan of Work.
• RIBA.
• Specification.
• Standard.
• Volumetric.