The development of an evaluation framework based on the design science approach

This paper is part of an on going research work focusing on the development and
evaluation of a visual management method, known as LCM4, using design science
research. LCM is a visual management method, developed initially by the researcher
in 2007 in practice to address a practical problem faced on a construction site. This
practical problem was a lack of transparency in daily operations onsite, which led to
difficulties in communication, decision-making and general progress in daily work
(Brady, et al 2012). LCM also addresses a theoretical problem which is the lack of
broader, holistic solutions when implementing Lean and Visual Management (Picchi,
2004, Tezel, 2011). By applying various visual tools together in a unique way, a
structure is provided to visually plan and manage the construction process, bringing
clarity, aiding communication and collaboration, decision-making and simplifying
information. LCM’s main aims are to improve transparency in the overall
construction process, implement a visualised flow and a pull system in the daily
planning of work onsite and to provide a mechanism for regular quality checks and
continuous improvement. Part of the evaluation will be to compare LCM to other
planning and control systems such as Last Planner in order to clarify the similarities
and differences and also its contribution to knowledge. The overall aim of the paper is
to describe and present the development of a suitable framework which is used to
evaluate this method within the context of Design Science. Findings from an analysis
on the method are presented which specifies its outcomes according to this
methodology. Evaluation criteria that make up the framework are identified based on
the Design Science literature and the aims of the LCM method itself and are applied
in a focused way to the constructs, models, methods and instantiations of LCM.