https://doi.org/10.24928/2023/0227

Creating Co-Location Concepts Under Consideration of Hybrid Approaches in Construction Projects

Leonie Szyperski¹, Maximilian R.-D. Budau², Gernot Hickethier³ & Shervin Haghsheno⁴

¹ Project Manager, Yukon Projects, Karlsruhe, Germany, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0003- 4751-4490
²Research Assistant, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-2572-1176
³Project Manager, Yukon Projects, Karlsruhe, Germany, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002- 0380-3787
⁴Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Director, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-0602-6370

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, across industries many project teams started working from home instead of their (co-located project) office, thus relying on virtual teamwork. This shift prompted the use of hybrid or virtual co-locations, whose purpose is to improve communication and collaboration in the project team. However, there is limited research on the effectiveness of these hybrid and virtual co-locations. A co-location can be implemented in both traditional and partnering delivery models, however, this research focuses on co-locations within partnering projects. To address this gap, interviews were conducted with co-location participants in Germany, Switzerland, and the US to gather a wide range of experiences, as well as supplement and validate the literature review. From this information, a co-location requirements catalog was created, and five concepts of co-location setups were identified and developed with varying degrees of hybridity. The research showed that trust and communication are crucial for collaboration, which is one goal of installing a co-location. Therefore, the implementation of a hybrid or virtual co-location must take this goal into account. In-person events play a key role in building and maintaining trust. As technology continues to advance, research on hybrid and virtual teamwork is becoming increasingly relevant.

Keywords

Co-location, big room/obeya, collaboration, hybrid co-location, integrated project delivery (IPD)

Files

Reference

Szyperski, L. , Budau, M. R. , Hickethier, G. & Haghsheno, S. 2023. Creating Co-Location Concepts Under Consideration of Hybrid Approaches in Construction Projects, Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC31) , 584-595. doi.org/10.24928/2023/0227

Download: BibTeX | RIS Format