Vegard Knotten
About
The AEC is an industry in change due to developing demands in environmental, sustainability, technology, and other regulatory demands. For projects to successfully comply with the changes this needs to be dealt with in the early stages of projects in the design phase, where the influence of solutions are high and the cost of changes are low. This PhD work examines building design management at the early stages of design.
The PhD thesis is conducted as a PhD by publication and consists of ten publications, and this thesis as the overarching essay. Each of the publications addresses different topics relevant to building design management. The research is based on qualitative case studies, learning from the practitioners to achieve an in-depth understanding of building design management.
The main research question of this PhD thesis is: How should building design management handle the early stages of the design phase in building projects? This is answered first through trying to define what building design management is. The definition used is: Building design management involves planning, organizing, and managing people, their knowledge, and the flow of information to obtain specific project goals and objectives.
Further, the thesis examines the challenges in the design phase of the early stages, to provide characteristics of the design process that need to be addressed. The challenges lie in the complexity of the interdependence of the design task, where tasks need to have reciprocal interdependencies to create a better solution, while constraints in time, for example, need the design to stop at a certain deadline. The fragmentation of the AEC also creates challenges at the organizational and personal levels. These challenges need to be handled by building design management.
The thesis also examines the success factors of building design management. A list of ten success factors is presented based on the literature and is discussed based on empirical findings. However, the research also shows that the success factors needs to be aligned with the project, the actors of the project, and building design management since they might not have the same relevance for all projects.
Moreover, the thesis examines the learning potential in building design management from similar project-based industries, such as offshore construction and shipbuilding. Offshore construction uses the building information model (BIM) in a more mature way in both planning and progress reporting. The shipbuilding design team works almost autonomously, creating ship designs and rapidly responding to changes.
To answer the main research question of how building design management should handle the early stages of the design phase in building projects, the thesis proposes a framework. The framework emphasizes the importance for building design management to plan not only the building design process but also the building design management process. The framework is made to be generic and starts with an assessment stage to assess the specifics of the project, then an initialization stage to plan the design management strategy, and then the execution stage to execute the design management strategy to handle building design management in the early stages.
Competencies
Publications
2025
-
Vergerio, Giulia;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2025)
What does it take to meet zen goals? A framework to support ZEN realization.
SINTEF akademisk forlag
SINTEF akademisk forlag
Report
-
Smyth, Hedley;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2025)
Client management in the project domain: towards conceptual integration using cross-disciplinary research.
International Journal of Project Management
Academic article
2024
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Vergerio, Giulia.
(2024)
Klare mål og samarbeid er viktig for å lykkes med
nullutslippsprosjekter. Det viser erfaringer fra flere klimaambisiøse prosjekter.
Byggeindustrien
Article in business/trade/industry journal
-
Vergerio, Giulia;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2024)
Perspectives on ambitious goals and collaboration.
SINTEF akademisk forlag
SINTEF akademisk forlag
Report
-
Evertsen, Phuc Hong Huynh;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2024)
Toward a collaborative circular ecosystem within the built environment.
Sustainable Production and Consumption
Academic article
-
Vergerio, Giulia;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2024)
Ensuring ambitious goals: Barrier and good practices in the planning and building process.
SINTEF akademisk forlag
SINTEF akademisk forlag
Report
-
Smyth, Hedley;
Knotten, Vegard;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny.
(2024)
Strategic Client Management in the Oil and Gas and Construction Industries. A Report on a Study into the Oil and Gas and Construction Industries in Norway and the UK.
NTNU
NTNU
Report
-
Smyth, Hedley;
Knotten, Vegard;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny.
(2024)
Strategic Client Management in the Oil and Gas Industry. A Report to the Norwegian and UK Oil and Gas Industries.
NTNU
NTNU
Report
-
Smyth, Hedley;
Knotten, Vegard;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny.
(2024)
Strategic Client Management in the Construction Industry. A Report to the Norwegian and UK Construction Industries.
NTNU
NTNU
Report
-
Smyth, Hedley;
Knotten, Vegard;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny.
(2024)
Strategisk kundeledelse i bransjene Olje og gass og Bygg og anlegg. Sammendragsrapport av en sammenlignende studie mellom Norge og Storbritannia.
NTNU
NTNU
Report
2022
-
Niranjan, Christopher;
Knotten, Vegard;
Lædre, Ola.
(2022)
Digitalizing Collaborative Planning in Design – a Case Study.
Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction
Academic article
-
Knotten, Vegard.
(2022)
Bedre prosesser er nøkkelen til en bærekraftig byggenæring.
Byggeindustrien
Article in business/trade/industry journal
2021
-
Andersen, Lars;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2021)
Sluttrapport: Kontraktstrategier og spesialistbasert samhandling (KSS).
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Report
-
Hansen, Geir Karsten;
Knotten, Vegard;
Fyhn, Håkon.
(2021)
Kulturelle sporer.
Chapter
-
Andersen, Lars;
Hansen, Geir Karsten;
Johansen, Agnar;
Fyhn, Håkon;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2021)
Utvidet kontraktstrategi i lys av resultater fra KSS.
Chapter
-
Hansen, Geir Karsten;
Knotten, Vegard;
Fyhn, Håkon.
(2021)
Kulturelle sporer. Utvikling av samarbeids- og prestasjonskultur i prosjekter.
Chapter
-
Lohne, Jardar;
Torp, Olav;
Andersen, Bjørn Sørskot;
Aslesen, Sigmund;
Bygballe, Lena Elisabeth;
Bølviken, Trond.
(2021)
The emergence of lean construction in the Norwegian AEC industry.
Construction Management and Economics
Academic article
2019
-
Styrvold, Marie;
Knotten, Vegard;
Lædre, Ola.
(2019)
Planning the BIM Process in AEC Projects.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
2018
-
Pikas, Ergo;
Koskela, Lauri;
tredal, niels;
Knotten, Vegard;
Bølviken, Trond.
(2018)
The dual nature of design management.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Hansen, Geir K.;
Lædre, Ola.
(2018)
Building design management in the early stages.
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Doctoral dissertation
-
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Knotten, Vegard;
Lædre, Ola;
Lohne, Jardar.
(2018)
Planning the building design process according to level of detail.
Lean Construction Journal
Academic article
2017
-
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Knotten, Vegard;
Lædre, Ola;
Drevland, Frode;
Lohne, Jardar.
(2017)
Using building information model (BIM) devices to improve information flow and collaboration on construction sites.
Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon)
Academic article
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Lædre, Ola;
Hansen, Geir Karsten.
(2017)
Learning Across Disciplines - Use of the Constant Comparative Method.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Lohne, Jardar;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Knotten, Vegard;
Drevland, Frode;
Lædre, Ola.
(2017)
Ethical behaviour in the design phase of AEC projects.
International Journal of Managing Projects in Business
Academic article
-
Meistad, Torill;
Støre-Valen, Marit;
Knotten, Vegard;
Hosseini, Ali;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny;
Mejlænder-Larsen, Øystein.
(2017)
Stakeholder perspectives and information exchange in AEC projects.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Hansen, Geir Karsten;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Kalsaas, Bo Terje;
Andersen, Lars;
Aslesen, Sigmund.
(2017)
Sluttrapport INPRO - Integrert metodikk for prosjekteringsledelse.
Veidekke Entreprenør
Veidekke Entreprenør
Report
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Lædre, Ola;
Hansen, Geir Karsten.
(2017)
Building design management - key success factors.
Architectural Engineering and Design Management
Academic article
2016
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Lædre, Ola;
Lohne, Jardar;
Hansen, Geir Karsten.
(2016)
Design Management - Learning Across Trades.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Hosseini, Ali;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny.
(2016)
“Next Step”: A New Systematic Approach to Plan
and Execute AEC Projects.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik.
(2016)
Veidekke: collaborative planning in design.
Chapter
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Lædre, Ola;
Hansen, Geir Karsten.
(2016)
Improving Design Management with Mutual Assessment.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
2015
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Lædre, Ola;
Hansen, Geir Karsten.
(2015)
Design Management in the Building Process - A Review of Current Literature.
Procedia Economics and Finance
Article in business/trade/industry journal
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Lædre, Ola;
Hansen, Geir Karsten.
(2015)
Organizational Power in Building Design Management.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Lohne, Jardar;
Knotten, Vegard;
Lædre, Ola.
(2015)
Ethics of the Design Phase - A Descriptive Approach.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Klakegg, Ole Jonny;
Knotten, Vegard;
Olsson, Nils;
Moum, Anita;
Hansen, Geir Karsten;
Lohne, Jardar.
(2015)
Bygg21 Fasenormen «Neste steg».
Bygg21 og Norsk eiendom
Bygg21 og Norsk eiendom
Report
2014
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik.
(2014)
Implementing Virtual Design and Construction( VDC) in Veidekke - using simple metrics to improve the design management process.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Aslesen, Sigmund;
Dammerud, Hege.
(2014)
Integrated methodology for design management - a research project to improve design management for the AEC industry in Norway.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Journal publications
-
Smyth, Hedley;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2025)
Client management in the project domain: towards conceptual integration using cross-disciplinary research.
International Journal of Project Management
Academic article
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Vergerio, Giulia.
(2024)
Klare mål og samarbeid er viktig for å lykkes med
nullutslippsprosjekter. Det viser erfaringer fra flere klimaambisiøse prosjekter.
Byggeindustrien
Article in business/trade/industry journal
-
Evertsen, Phuc Hong Huynh;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2024)
Toward a collaborative circular ecosystem within the built environment.
Sustainable Production and Consumption
Academic article
-
Niranjan, Christopher;
Knotten, Vegard;
Lædre, Ola.
(2022)
Digitalizing Collaborative Planning in Design – a Case Study.
Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction
Academic article
-
Knotten, Vegard.
(2022)
Bedre prosesser er nøkkelen til en bærekraftig byggenæring.
Byggeindustrien
Article in business/trade/industry journal
-
Lohne, Jardar;
Torp, Olav;
Andersen, Bjørn Sørskot;
Aslesen, Sigmund;
Bygballe, Lena Elisabeth;
Bølviken, Trond.
(2021)
The emergence of lean construction in the Norwegian AEC industry.
Construction Management and Economics
Academic article
-
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Knotten, Vegard;
Lædre, Ola;
Lohne, Jardar.
(2018)
Planning the building design process according to level of detail.
Lean Construction Journal
Academic article
-
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Knotten, Vegard;
Lædre, Ola;
Drevland, Frode;
Lohne, Jardar.
(2017)
Using building information model (BIM) devices to improve information flow and collaboration on construction sites.
Journal of Information Technology in Construction (ITcon)
Academic article
-
Lohne, Jardar;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Knotten, Vegard;
Drevland, Frode;
Lædre, Ola.
(2017)
Ethical behaviour in the design phase of AEC projects.
International Journal of Managing Projects in Business
Academic article
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Lædre, Ola;
Hansen, Geir Karsten.
(2017)
Building design management - key success factors.
Architectural Engineering and Design Management
Academic article
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Lædre, Ola;
Hansen, Geir Karsten.
(2015)
Design Management in the Building Process - A Review of Current Literature.
Procedia Economics and Finance
Article in business/trade/industry journal
Part of book/report
-
Hansen, Geir Karsten;
Knotten, Vegard;
Fyhn, Håkon.
(2021)
Kulturelle sporer.
Chapter
-
Andersen, Lars;
Hansen, Geir Karsten;
Johansen, Agnar;
Fyhn, Håkon;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2021)
Utvidet kontraktstrategi i lys av resultater fra KSS.
Chapter
-
Hansen, Geir Karsten;
Knotten, Vegard;
Fyhn, Håkon.
(2021)
Kulturelle sporer. Utvikling av samarbeids- og prestasjonskultur i prosjekter.
Chapter
-
Styrvold, Marie;
Knotten, Vegard;
Lædre, Ola.
(2019)
Planning the BIM Process in AEC Projects.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Pikas, Ergo;
Koskela, Lauri;
tredal, niels;
Knotten, Vegard;
Bølviken, Trond.
(2018)
The dual nature of design management.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Lædre, Ola;
Hansen, Geir Karsten.
(2017)
Learning Across Disciplines - Use of the Constant Comparative Method.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Meistad, Torill;
Støre-Valen, Marit;
Knotten, Vegard;
Hosseini, Ali;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny;
Mejlænder-Larsen, Øystein.
(2017)
Stakeholder perspectives and information exchange in AEC projects.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Lædre, Ola;
Lohne, Jardar;
Hansen, Geir Karsten.
(2016)
Design Management - Learning Across Trades.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Hosseini, Ali;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny.
(2016)
“Next Step”: A New Systematic Approach to Plan
and Execute AEC Projects.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik.
(2016)
Veidekke: collaborative planning in design.
Chapter
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Lædre, Ola;
Hansen, Geir Karsten.
(2016)
Improving Design Management with Mutual Assessment.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Lædre, Ola;
Hansen, Geir Karsten.
(2015)
Organizational Power in Building Design Management.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Lohne, Jardar;
Knotten, Vegard;
Lædre, Ola.
(2015)
Ethics of the Design Phase - A Descriptive Approach.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik.
(2014)
Implementing Virtual Design and Construction( VDC) in Veidekke - using simple metrics to improve the design management process.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Aslesen, Sigmund;
Dammerud, Hege.
(2014)
Integrated methodology for design management - a research project to improve design management for the AEC industry in Norway.
Academic chapter/article/Conference paper
Report
-
Vergerio, Giulia;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2025)
What does it take to meet zen goals? A framework to support ZEN realization.
SINTEF akademisk forlag
SINTEF akademisk forlag
Report
-
Vergerio, Giulia;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2024)
Perspectives on ambitious goals and collaboration.
SINTEF akademisk forlag
SINTEF akademisk forlag
Report
-
Vergerio, Giulia;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2024)
Ensuring ambitious goals: Barrier and good practices in the planning and building process.
SINTEF akademisk forlag
SINTEF akademisk forlag
Report
-
Smyth, Hedley;
Knotten, Vegard;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny.
(2024)
Strategic Client Management in the Oil and Gas and Construction Industries. A Report on a Study into the Oil and Gas and Construction Industries in Norway and the UK.
NTNU
NTNU
Report
-
Smyth, Hedley;
Knotten, Vegard;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny.
(2024)
Strategic Client Management in the Oil and Gas Industry. A Report to the Norwegian and UK Oil and Gas Industries.
NTNU
NTNU
Report
-
Smyth, Hedley;
Knotten, Vegard;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny.
(2024)
Strategic Client Management in the Construction Industry. A Report to the Norwegian and UK Construction Industries.
NTNU
NTNU
Report
-
Smyth, Hedley;
Knotten, Vegard;
Klakegg, Ole Jonny.
(2024)
Strategisk kundeledelse i bransjene Olje og gass og Bygg og anlegg. Sammendragsrapport av en sammenlignende studie mellom Norge og Storbritannia.
NTNU
NTNU
Report
-
Andersen, Lars;
Knotten, Vegard.
(2021)
Sluttrapport: Kontraktstrategier og spesialistbasert samhandling (KSS).
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Report
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Hansen, Geir K.;
Lædre, Ola.
(2018)
Building design management in the early stages.
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet
Doctoral dissertation
-
Knotten, Vegard;
Hansen, Geir Karsten;
Svalestuen, Fredrik;
Kalsaas, Bo Terje;
Andersen, Lars;
Aslesen, Sigmund.
(2017)
Sluttrapport INPRO - Integrert metodikk for prosjekteringsledelse.
Veidekke Entreprenør
Veidekke Entreprenør
Report
-
Klakegg, Ole Jonny;
Knotten, Vegard;
Olsson, Nils;
Moum, Anita;
Hansen, Geir Karsten;
Lohne, Jardar.
(2015)
Bygg21 Fasenormen «Neste steg».
Bygg21 og Norsk eiendom
Bygg21 og Norsk eiendom
Report
Outreach
2024
-
InterviewKnotten, Vegard; Vergerio, Giulia. (2024) Ambisiøse energimål kan sikres ved hjelp av en god byggeprosess. Byggfakta Nyheter Byggfakta Nyheter [Internet] 2024-03-18
-
InterviewKnotten, Vegard; Vergerio, Giulia. (2024) Ambisiøse energimål kan sikres ved hjelp av en god byggeprosess. Fremtidens Byggenæring Fremtidens Byggenæring [Internet] 2024-03-19
2023
-
InterviewKnotten, Vegard. (2023) - Nå er det de vanlige byggeprosjektene sin tur. Byggfakta Byggfakta [Journal] 2023-05-12
2020
-
LectureHansen, Geir Karsten; Knotten, Vegard. (2020) Opplegg oppstart detaljprosjektering E6 Ulsberg - Vindåsliene. Møte , Trondheim 2020-06-09 - 2020-06-09
-
Academic lectureFyhn, Håkon; Hansen, Geir Karsten; Knotten, Vegard. (2020) Å skape samarbeidskultur gjennom dialog; Forsøk i byge- og anleggsbransjen. NEON konferansen 2020 , Oslo 2020-11-17 - 2020-11-19
2017
-
Lecture
-
LectureKnotten, Vegard. (2017) BIM relevant for byggeleder?. Kursdagene 2017 , Trondheim 2017-01-10 - 2017-01-11
2016
-
LectureKnotten, Vegard. (2016) BIM - relevant for byggeleder ?. Kursdagene , Trondheim 2016-01-05 - 2016-01-06
-
LectureKnotten, Vegard. (2016) Lean Design Management. Lean Design and Management , Tallinn 2016-10-25 - 2016-10-25
-
LectureKnotten, Vegard. (2016) VDC - Samhandling med BIM. En innføring i prosjekteringsledelse , Oslo 2016-09-27 - 2016-09-28
-
LectureKnotten, Vegard. (2016) Virtual Design and Construction ( VDC) - Samhandling med BIM. Kursdagene , Trondheim 2016-01-05 - 2016-01-06
2015
-
Academic lectureKnotten, Vegard; Svalestuen, Fredrik; Lædre, Ola; Hansen, Geir Karsten. (2015) Design Management in the Building Process - A Review of Current Literature. 8th Nordic Conference on Construction Economics and Organization , Tampere 2015-05-28 - 2015-05-29
2014
-
LectureKnotten, Vegard. (2014) Prosjekteringsledelse og BIM. En innføring i prosjekteringsledelse , Oslo 2014-10-15 - 2014-10-16