Exploring opportunities of integrated project delivery in off-site manufacturing of the Australian housing sector

The Australian housing sector is underperforming; supply doesn't meet demand, quality is questionable and there are significant delays in delivery time. Off-site manufacturing has been promoted as a solution. Off-site manufacturing involves the production of building components in a controlled facility which are transported to construction site for installation and assembling. Past studies have revealed several benefits of off-site manufacturing and despite the numerous compelling arguments associated with adoption, its application is yet to be fully realised. Potentially a key barrier inhibiting the uptake of off-site manufacturing is the lack of the early involvement of key project participants at the outset of a project. This barrier may arise due to the project delivery methods the sector participants' pursue. This study seeks to explore integrated project delivery as a solution. An integrated project delivery method integrates people, business practices, culture and structures into a process. The novel delivery method is beneficial because it enables early involvement of project participants. Integrated Project Delivery also leverages the combined knowledge structurally through the use of multiple-party agreements. A review of literature suggests that there are various factors influence the uptake of this delivery method including; user experience, contractual, insurance, cultural, financial and legal. The implication of adoption of this novel delivery method and its application to the housing sector is initiated.