Production Management: The Process Protocol Approach

Production management, a generic managerial discipline, has developed in an evolutionary way based upon a variety of manufacturing philosophies. For instance, there is a range of customer and supply-chain orientated principles, front-end integrated cross-functional teams, and process models that incorporate learning mechanisms for continuous improvement. These are finding increasing acceptance and application in many management domains. However, their application within the design and construction process has not been consistent or integrated fully, as there has been little work in promoting the principles of production management into the industry both in theory and practice. This article argues for the wider acceptance of all of these theories into construction and describes their incorporation in the Generic Design and Construction Process Protocol (GDCPP). The opportunities for implementing ‘production management’ practices within the design and construction process are also discussed against current UK procurement routes and processes.