What Can I Do To Get The Most Out Of MMC?
With the movement around and toward Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) still growing at an ever-outstanding rate, there are still common misconceptions and knowledge gaps that cause barriers to greater adoption.
Most commonly, there appears to be a lack of understanding of methods of engagement. We are constantly approached by customers asking for MMC or Modular solutions for their projects to try and take advantage of what they perceive to be the ‘trend’, without having an understanding of what they are trying to achieve and the true benefit that properly executed MMC projects can bring.
MMC isn’t about replacing bricks with panels – it involves a deep level of improving efficiencies, performances and outcomes. We’ve put together some key considerations to enable you to benefit from MMC.
Why should I consider MMC?
Clients often come to us with an expressed wish to implement MMC on their project without necessarily understanding why they want to, nor the impact it will have upon their business.
We always promote the importance of understanding ‘Why?’ – this establishes clear drivers, desired outcomes and the ability to see MMC as a tool to meet those goals, not the catch-all answer to the question.
MMC also needs to be viewed as an opportunity to impact positive change across whole organisations by promoting new, efficient ways of working. New efficiencies doesn’t just mean physical products manufactured in a factory, but digital technologies and processes. It’s imperative to encourage clients to put a strategy in place that’s both holistic and also considers the impacts on the wider business, ensuring that the adoption of MMC brings true transformative benefits.
How should I plan my approach to MMC?
Once you’ve established your outcomes and the optimal MMC approach, the next step is setting up a robust performance monitoring process.
This will provide you with valuable data to prove that the use of MMC delivers better outcomes, time, cost, performance and quality benefits. This data will also give you a benchmark from which to build and improve upon.
Frankly, there is no point in adopting MMC if the benefits can’t tangibly be seen beyond what has been done before – ultimately, if clients’ recorded data proves MMC is better, more will follow, and uptake will increase.
How can I train my team to get the most out of MMC?
You may need to consider additional training to allow your team to unlock the full potential of MMC and associated digital tools. Whilst the materials used in most MMC solutions will be familiar, the processes are different and may require investment in upskilling the workforce to utilise the technology, maintain the building or manage the process.
The current capability of your team, your delivery model and more will impact the level of input needed. Integrating MMC solutions and technologies into any organisation can be complex, and so we would advocate undertaking a skills audit as part of the consideration of the impact of any changes on the people or team which will be using them.
It’s crucial to remember that large sections of the industry were trained in a pre-digital age. There may be pre-determined or sceptical views arguing that they’ve ‘always done it this way’ and will need very good reasons to adopt new methods of construction.
At Sapphire, we’re advocates of using MMC as a means to impart positive change across a whole organisation, including those on the building site as well as those in the office, to promote the benefits of undertaking a change management programme.
What are the benefits of a shift towards MMC?
The use of MMC will accelerate once people catch up to what the technology can do and how it will benefit them.
- Digitisation can realise tangible key driver efficiencies.
- Products manufactured offsite will be of higher quality than those manufactured on site.
- MMC can help to achieve objectives tied to social values.
- Programme cost savings can be considerable.
As research continues and more benefits are proven, the clearer these benefits will become. Homes England completed a large monitoring project of eight developers, published in 2021, to capture this information.
What are the key considerations for adopting MMC?
If adopting MMC is seen as the way forward for your business, then ask yourself these key questions:
- Why do I want to adopt MMC? – Work to understand why you want to adopt it, clearly define your strategy and establish your desired outcomes.
- What’s the impact on my people? – Consider the impact on your teams, not just the building site.
- What will I need to record? – Record and monitor information to prove it’s better and provide a foundation for further improvement.
- What have I got to lose? – See the shift to MMC as a journey, not a revolution!
