Unlocking the potential of quantum computing in prefabricated construction supply chains: Current trends, challenges, and future directions [1]

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