34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) - Singapore, Singapore - 2026

https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0201

Enhancing lean-oriented safety management through BIM: a socio-technical perspective

Osman Hulusi Turkyilmaz1, Tiendung Le2, Behzad Abbasnejad3 & David Oswald4

1PhD Candidate, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, [email protected], [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-9820-9552
2Associate Professor, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-6048-8883
3Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-0415-239X
4Associate Professor, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-3013-5681

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is widely adopted to support construction safety management; however, its implementation remains predominantly technology-driven and inconsistently aligned with Lean Construction principles. This study examines how the conceptualisation of BIM shapes its alignment with Lean Construction principles, drawing on the Transformation–Flow–Value (TFV) theory of production as a theoretical lens. A qualitative study was conducted based on 22 semi-structured interviews with professionals from contractor, consultant, and client organisations within the Australian AEC industry. Using a deductive analytical framework, the study analyses how BIM-enabled safety practices align with Lean Construction principles. The findings reveal a pattern of selective alignment, where BIM strongly supports operational Lean Construction principles such as visualisation, coordination, and information integration, while providing limited support for system-level Lean Construction principles including standardisation, variability reduction, and production control. This imbalance stems from the predominant application of BIM as a technological tool rather than an integrated socio-technical methodology, limiting its potential to enable adaptive, learning-oriented safety practices. Consequently, the study highlights the importance of socio-technical implementation of BIM for operationalising Lean Construction principles and achieving more integrated and sustainable Lean-oriented safety management, when integrated with organisational processes, stakeholder roles, and governance structures.

Keywords

Building Information Modelling, construction safety management, lean construction, theory of production, BIM-Lean integration.

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Turkyilmaz, O. H., Le, T., Abbasnejad, B. & Oswald, D.. (2026). Enhancing lean-oriented safety management through BIM: a socio-technical perspective. In Hamzeh, F., Poshdar, M., & Garcia-Lopez,, N. P. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) (pp. 365–377). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0201

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Turkyilmaz, O. H., Le, T., Abbasnejad, B. & Oswald, D.. (2026). Enhancing lean-oriented safety management through BIM: a socio-technical perspective. IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0201

 

Founded in 1993, the IGLC is an international network of researchers from practice and academia in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) who feel that the practice, education, and research of the AEC industry have to be radically renewed in order to respond to the global challenges ahead.

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