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SAME Alternative Construction Methods (ACM) Working Group

The SAME Alternative Construction Methods (ACM) Working Group is seeking information from SAME members to better understand the current state, constraints, and opportunities related to Industrialized Construction in both industry and MILCON projects.

Industrialized Construction (IC) refers to the transformation of construction into a manufacturing-inspired production system, where products (buildings, assemblies and components) and processes (design, fabrication, assembly, and management) are standardized, digitized, and optimized to achieve economies of scale, reduced variability, and higher performance across projects. Within the MILCON community, this concept is often referred to as Alternative Construction Methods (ACM) by SAME.

For the purpose of this survey, IC has been organized into 3 categories, Products, Processes, and Technologies:

Industrialized Construction Products include 1D elements (MEP racks, Trusses, Rebar cages), 2D elements (Wall panels, Floor/roof panels, CLT panels, Pre-cast concrete), 3D elements (Volumetric modules, Bathroom pods, MEP pods), Hybrid assemblies (2D + 3D systems pre-integrated, Chassis-based units with add-on panels).

Industrialized Construction Processes include Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), Modularization planning, Factory-based fabrication workflows, Lean manufacturing + takt planning, Digital workflows (BIM-to-fabrication, digital twins), Supply-chain integration, Assembly and installation logistics, Quality control and industrialized commissioning

Industrialized Construction Technologies including 3D printing (additive construction), Automation and robotics, CNC cutting and machining, Advanced welding systems, Automated material handling
1.What portion of your building portfolio projects are currently using IC solutions (including, but not limited to, prefabrication, modular, kit-of-parts, or “off-site” construction)?
2.Have you ever done IC on a MILCON project?
3.If you have utilized IC techniques, which of the following have you employed? (Select all that apply)
4.What project typologies have you applied IC techniques to? (Select all that apply)
5.What project delivery methods have you used with IC? (Select all that apply)
6.What were your primary drivers for considering/using IC techniques? (Rank top 3)
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2
3
Schedule compression
Reduced onsite labor dependence
Higher quality and precision
Repeatability and Standardization
Improved resilience and safety
Cost savings
7.Did you achieve your intended benefits from using IC?
8.When you've used IC, how early were manufacturers/fabricators engaged in the process?
9.Which factors have most prevented you from using IC to date? (Select all that apply)
10.What do you see as barriers to adopting IC on MILCON projects? Select as many as you see as substantial barriers. 1 indicates the most severe impediment; 3 indicates the least. For items you do not see as barriers, do not select.(Required.)
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2
3
Firm Fixed Price and contracting requirements
Upfront capital requirements and timing of funds
FCs and UFCs
Constraints on use of softwares and collaborative tools
Discontinuity of design teams
Lack of manufacturer input at appropriate time
FAR milestones and slow feedback cycles
Decision making at a project level instead of at a program level
Lack of expertise/training
Varied requirements across services and regions
Limited vendor pool
Organizational risk aversion/cultural resistance
Concerns about first-cost premium
11.Explain more about your answer(s) to question 14 (open text)
12.What portion of your building portfolio do you believe could be delivered using IC solutions if barriers were removed?
13.Are there any other comments related to IC you would like to share? (open text)