Smart Lean in PC: Exploring Factors of Digitalization-Driven Lean in Chinese Prefabricated Construction Projects

The integration of digital technologies is increasingly recognized as a critical enabler of lean practices in prefabricated construction projects. However, a systematic understanding of the underlying factors that drive this lean–digital transformation remains limited. To address the gap, this study identified 18 factors through an in-depth review of 30 papers and a follow-up questionnaire survey. The factors are divided into five dimensions, i.e., organizational, social, technological, economic and environmental, according to an extended framework of the Socio-Technical Systems (STS) and Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE). These 18 factors were then analyzed via a back propagation (BP) neural network model. The empirical data were collected from 148 practitioners across 11 regions in China where PC industrialization, digital technology adoption, and lean-related practices are relatively mature. These regions were selected because digitalization-driven lean practices are more observable in such contexts, allowing the BP model to capture the comprehensive contribution of key factors more effectively. The findings reveal that the effective implementation of the smart lean practices via digitalization is primarily driven by a systematic process, where greater attention should be directed toward simulation-based process optimization, robust information management, integrated design and construction, lean management systems, and the workers’ digital skills. Although the empirical evidence is derived from relatively mature PC and digital construction markets in China, the identified factors provide reference insights for broader PC projects including less mature regions to make effective measures to improve lean implementation. This study contributes to the existing knowledge body of lean in PC by extending the theories of STS and TOE to advance the understanding of digital drivers. Additionally, the results serve as a reference for stakeholders by informing strategic priorities such as resource allocation for workforce development, advancing the realization of smart lean prefabricated construction.