ALLPLAN publishes eBook "Unlocking the Secrets of DfMA: The Ultimate AEC Guide"

ALLPLAN focuses on DfMA workflows for AEC

Munich - ALLPLAN, a global leader of AEC software and part of the Nemetschek Group, has long focused on integrating prefabrication as part of its comprehensive ‘Design to Build’ ethos. To underpin this positioning and reinforce the importance of integrated tools for prefabrication and modular construction, and with the recent acquisition of MANUFACTON, ALLPLAN has consolidated AEC workflows for the key principles of the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) approach. In a new eBook its benefits, potential obstacles to implementation, and an outlook on the future of design and construction is discussed.

"A key component of our ‘Design to Build’ philosophy is extending tools for prefabrication and thus supporting the DfMA approach. We enable our customers to consider buildability as early as possible in the design process," says Eduardo Lazzarotto, ALLPLAN's Chief Product and Strategy Officer.
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Why DfMA Is Gaining Momentum

DfMA is a methodology focused on simplifying the production and assembly of building components which rests on three foundational principles: component standardization, optimization for prefabrication, and early collaboration. Together, these three principles enable construction projects to be completed faster, more sustainably, and with a higher level of quality.

The ongoing skills shortage, rising costs and technological advances are increasing the pressure to build faster and more efficiently. As prefabrication offers an attractive solution to these challenges, current forecasts predict a 10% increase in DfMA by 2027. However, this growth potential can only be realized if digital design tools are ready to support the DfMA approach.

"MANUFACTON supports DfMA by being developed as a cloud-based platform specifically for prefabrication and modular construction, enabling seamless management and monitoring of all processes along the value chain. The software offers real-time visibility across design, production, materials management, and logistics from the factory to the construction site", explains Raghi Iyengar, Founder and Product Manager of MANUFACTON by ALLPLAN.

In March 2025, ALLPLAN announced the acquisition of MANUFACTON, strengthening its capabilities in supporting industrialized construction and expanding its portfolio for cloud-based production management solutions.
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How ALLPLAN Supports DfMA

The 26-page eBook outlines the key aspects of the DfMA concept. The first chapter introduces the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly approach and its underlying principles. The second chapter discusses potential obstacles to implementation and how to overcome them. Then, the eBook explains the features that AEC software must have to effectively support DfMA. The next chapter examines how ALLPLAN specifically supports the DfMA approach. Next are practical examples from prefabrication, steel construction, and manufacturing operations. Finally, the eBook concludes with a look to the future, exploring what lies ahead and providing insights into potential developments.

The eBook "Unlocking the Secrets of DfMA: The Ultimate AEC Guide" is available free of charge at: https://infos.allplan.com/en-ebook-dfma-aec-guide.html