What Is an MMC Advisor? Why Every Modern Construction Project Needs One
I recently attended two insightful events in Sydney that brought the promise and challenges of modern construction into sharp focus. The first, hosted by the Austrian Embassy, explored Austria’s progressive housing models and how deeply integrated modern methods of construction (MMC) are in their national approach. The second was a panel at Sydney Build focusing on how MMC can assist with the delivery of social housing in Australia.
Across both events, one takeaway was striking: the success of implementing MMC isn’t just about materials, factories, or robotics—it’s about clarity. Specifically, clear definitions, shared language, and alignment across stakeholders are foundational to success. Without these, even the most advanced construction innovations struggle to scale.
This is where the MMC Advisor plays a pivotal role.
What is an MMC Advisor?
A Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Advisor is a specialist consultant who ensures that MMC principles are understood, adopted, and optimised within a construction project. While roles may vary by project size and procurement route, the core purpose remains the same: help clients and project teams navigate the complexity of offsite fabrication, systemised design, and platform-based construction.
The MMC Advisor champions design for manufacture and assembly (DfMA)—a philosophy and process that encourages early design decisions aligned with how a building will be made, not just how it will perform or look. According to the DfMA Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, this early integration of manufacturing logic into the design process is vital to unlocking the time, cost, safety, and sustainability benefits of MMC.
Definitions Matter
One of the barriers to broader MMC adoption is inconsistency in how terms are used. Is volumetric construction the same as modular? What distinguishes platform-based design from prefabrication? How do we define pre-manufactured value (PMV)?
An MMC Advisor provides that definitional clarity. Using frameworks like the UK Government’s seven-category MMC definition and the RIBA DfMA Overlay, they create a shared language that helps all parties—from architects and planners to funders and contractors—understand what’s being proposed, procured, and built.
The Advisor’s Role Across Project Stages
The RIBA Plan of Work, overlaid with DfMA principles, provides a clear framework for where the MMC Advisor fits in.
- Stage 0-1 (Strategic Definition and Preparation): The Advisor helps define client ambitions around MMC, advises on setting PMV targets, and assesses whether existing procurement routes will support DfMA outcomes.
- Stage 2-3 (Concept and Spatial Design): At this point, the Advisor ensures that designs align with available offsite systems, identifies opportunities for standardisation, and supports early engagement with the supply chain.
- Stage 4 (Technical Design): The Advisor coordinates detailed information exchanges between designers, manufacturers, and logistics teams, helping to de-risk interfaces and reduce rework.
- Stage 5-7 (Manufacture, Construction, and Use): Post-design, the MMC Advisor remains engaged to ensure assembly sequencing is efficient, that the “golden thread” of digital data is maintained, and that feedback loops from occupancy inform future projects.
Case Studies: MMC in Action
The University of Warwick’s Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building is a textbook example of how early DfMA thinking pays off. With pre-cast concrete, CLT, and glulam components all manufactured offsite, the £30m building was delivered with high-quality finishes, reduced site labour, and minimal pandemic-related delays. An MMC Advisor would have been instrumental in aligning design, manufacturing, and logistics early.
In London, The Forge commercial office project—targeted as the UK’s first net-zero carbon development in construction and operation—used a platform DfMA approach. An MMC Advisor coordinated BIM workflows, automated assembly processes, and supply chain integration, helping the project achieve a 22% reduction in embodied carbon and a 13.5% productivity gain.
From Risk to Reward
Implementing MMC is not without its challenges—supply chain fragmentation, unclear procurement routes, and a planning system that rewards late-stage design changes can derail even the best intentions. The MMC Advisor helps mitigate these risks by aligning stakeholders early and maintaining clarity throughout.
This is especially critical in the delivery of affordable and social housing, where budget, timeline, and quality pressures are particularly acute. At the Sydney Build panel, this point was driven home repeatedly: MMC’s potential will only be realised if clients and design teams bring in the right advisors early and commit to the method from the start.
Conclusion: A Strategic Partner for Modern Construction
In summary, the MMC Advisor is more than a technical specialist—they are a strategic enabler of better buildings. By embedding manufacturing logic into the early design process, they unlock value in cost, quality, carbon, and delivery certainty. As the industry grapples with climate imperatives, labour shortages, and housing affordability, MMC Advisors are no longer optional—they are essential.
If you’re considering incorporating modern methods of construction into your next project, having the right expertise on board is critical. prefabprojects.com hosts a growing directory of prefab professionals, including experienced MMC Advisors, to help guide your journey from concept to completion.
