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A SWOT Analysis of Modular Construction: Comparison
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Please note this is a comparison between Version 3 by Abigail Zou and Version 2 by Abigail Zou.

Modular construction is generally defined as a typical offsite construction approach that can improve environmental sustainability throughout the building project lifecycle. Based on this situation, identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) while promoting this sustainable construction method effectively during the urbanisation process is essential. Generally, modular construction is a sustainable building approach that can improve project sustainability, considering the environmental, social, economic, and technological aspects. A comprehensive understanding of the basic situation of prefabricated construction is worthwhile to ensure the widespread adoption of this offsite building method. By employing the SWOT analytical framework, this study adopts a literature review approach to conduct the investigation. In terms of the project results, the core strengths of using modular construction include improving environmental sustainability, enhancing management effectiveness, and improving construction safety and quality. The major weaknesses, on the other hand, are a lack of expertise and research, excessively high initial costs, and difficulties in stakeholder coordination. On the other hand, the major opportunities include promoting the SDGs and other policies, the Industrial Revolution 4.0, and urbanisation and building demands. The main threats, however, include substitute construction technologies, imperfect building codes and standards, and a lack of social and market acceptance. Further research can increase the sample size and collect more accurate firsthand data to validate the results of the current investigation, which can increase the effectiveness of promoting modular construction in the targeted regions.

  • prefabricated buildings
  • SWOT analysis
  • strength
  • weakness
  • opportunity
  • threat
  • sustainable development

1. Introduction

This article illustrates the modular construction concept and introduces the prefabricated building project building process. By analysing the comprehensive environment of this sustainable building approach, the SWOT analytical tool is chosen to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of adopting prefabricated construction across the industry [1]. Additionally, in the project management discipline, construction is generally defined as a project, and exploring what comprises a successful modular building project is important. Under the project concept, studying modular construction using the project management body of knowledge is reasonable because the proposed research relies on transdisciplinary collaboration and cross-industrial cooperation. Considering the hot topic of the SWOT analysis, the comprehensive literature review in this paper consolidates the relevant literature analysis to ensure the innovation of research fundamentals.

2. Overview of Modular Construction

The global construction sector is witnessing a significant increase in implementing prefabricated technology in construction projects. This environmentally friendly approach, originating in London, was embraced in domestic design in the 19th century [2]. In the last ten years, prefabrication has increasingly replaced cast-in-place construction as a dominant building method, particularly in industrialised nations. Some building projects are constructed through this offsite approach, and most construction projects are completed by combining modular building technology and the traditional cast-in-place method [3]. Notably, more and more building projects are using this green construction technology during the development of regional urbanisation. According to the definitions from academic publications, prefabrication often entails manufacturing modules and panels in industrial environments and transporting them to the building site [4]. The finished building components are then methodically integrated into the subsequent construction phase to create the building structure [5]. In other words, prefabrication can be seen as a typical offsite construction technique that can reduce the construction time and on-site building tasks. The assigned factory assembly lines produce building elements during pre-construction, which are transported to the construction site for assembly after in-factory manufacturing. On-site construction generally focuses on the safety of construction works (e.g., the structural connection and hoisting of fabricated components) and the effective assembly of required building components [6]. Although the delivery of many building products still heavily relies on the adoption of the conventional cast-in-place approach, fortunately, many building professionals have already noticed the advantages and importance of using modular construction and encouraged its wide promotion, especially for underdeveloped regions requiring a large amount of building and infrastructure construction [7].
The widespread professional viewpoint is that prefabricated construction is generally grouped into three major types, including the single-element (1D), panelised scenario (2D), and volumetric (3D) types, and modular construction commonly refers to the scenario of 2D and 3D types in the construction industry [8]. Within the context of this article, the terms “prefabricated”, “modular”, and “offsite” are utilised synonymously without any discernible effect on the substance of the written material, which is the same as the written content in other formal academic publications [9]. Modular construction is, theoretically, an offsite building method, as delineated in the specialised terminology. Some scholars performed a comprehensive analysis of the essential procedures in modular housing assembly, starting with the transportation stage and culminating in the final delivery [3]. The process of prefabricated structures is typically recognised to encompass five steps. The procedure includes design and conceptualisation, procurement and storage of construction materials, manufacture of prefabricated components, transportation to the construction site, and final assembly of the structure. Previous studies indicate that key prefabricated components and standard panels are produced, assessed, and chosen during the planning phase [10]. After the fabrication of panels at industrial sites and their transportation to the designated place, the following phase involves erecting the requisite structures. During the pre-construction phase, manufacturers are mostly responsible for producing standard panels and the requisite manufactured components, which are completed before the official construction stage [11]. Afterwards, the previously described components are manufactured offsite and transported to the designated location for final assembly. Modular construction relies heavily on prefabrication and assembly, as the quality attained at this stage can directly influence the project results evaluated by internal stakeholders. The construction of buildings using modular components is akin to assembling Lego bricks, and this sustainable building approach is widely adopted by many wealthy nations and increasingly recommended for developing nations [3].

References

  1. Benzaghta, M.A.; Elwalda, A.; Mousa, M.M.; Erkan, I.; Rahman, M. SWOT analysis applications: An integrative literature review. J. Glob. Bus. Insights 2021, 6, 54–72.
  2. Agha, A.; Shibani, A.; Hassan, D.; Zalans, B. Modular construction in the United Kingdom housing sector: Barriers and implications. J. Archit. Eng. Technol. 2021, 10, 236.
  3. Zhou, Z.; Syamsunur, D.; Wang, L.; Nugraheni, F. Identification of Impeding Factors in Utilising Prefabrication during Lifecycle of Construction Projects: An Extensive Literature Review. Buildings 2024, 14, 1764.
  4. Zhou, Z.; Syamsunur, D.; Wang, X. The implication of using modular construction projects on the building sustainability: A critical literature review. Adv. Urban Eng. Manag. Sci. 2022, 1, 422–427.
  5. Cao, X.; Li, X.; Zhu, Y.; Zhang, Z. A comparative study of environmental performance between prefabricated and traditional residential buildings in China. J. Clean. Prod. 2015, 109, 131–143.
  6. Fard, M.M.; Terouhid, S.A.; Kibert, C.J.; Hakim, H. Safety concerns related to modular/prefabricated building construction. Int. J. Inj. Control Saf. Promot. 2017, 24, 10–23.
  7. Jiang, R.; Mao, C.; Hou, L.; Wu, C.; Tan, J. A SWOT analysis for promoting offsite construction under the backdrop of China’s new urbanisation. J. Clean. Prod. 2018, 173, 225–234.
  8. Thai, H.T.; Ngo, T.; Uy, B. A review on modular construction for high-rise buildings. Structures 2020, 28, 1265–1290.
  9. Zhou, Z.; Syamsunur, D.; Wang, L.; Kit, A.C. Exploring the feasibility of using modular technology for construction projects in island areas. J. Infrastruct. Policy Dev. 2024, 8, 3424.
  10. Ji, Y.; Qi, L.; Liu, Y.; Liu, X.; Li, H.X.; Li, Y. Assessing and prioritising delay factors of prefabricated concrete building projects in China. Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 2324.
  11. Zhou, Z. The Obstacles to Promoting the Modular Building Project: A Tentative Assessment of the Literature. In Technological Innovation in Engineering Research; BP International: London, UK, 2022; Volume 6, pp. 1–6.
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