Unlocking the potential of quantum computing in prefabricated construction supply chains: Current trends, challenges, and future directions

Abstract

The intricate nature of prefabricated construction supply chain management (PCSCM) presents ongoing challenges in production scheduling, inventory control, and logistics coordination. Recent advances in quantum computing (QC) offer compelling approaches to address these multifaceted issues by enabling significantly faster and more precise optimization. This paper systematically reviews and synthesizes existing QC research in the supply chain context, particularly focusing on quantum algorithms that target the PCSCM lifecycle. Our analysis identifies three key domains: production, inventory, and transportation, in which QC can outperform classical methods, as evidenced by enhanced scheduling flexibility and cost minimization. However, our findings also highlight crucial bottlenecks, including quantum hardware limitations, organizational readiness gaps, and a lack of specialized interdisciplinary talent. We propose a framework of strategies to guide QC adoption, such as specialized algorithm development, collaborative research partnerships, and standardized data protocols. These insights offer promising future directions for leveraging QC to streamline operations and boost sustainability in the prefabricated construction sector.