Senaratne, S and Mayuran, J (2015) Documentation management based on ISO for construction industries in developing countries. Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, 20(2), pp. 81-95. ISSN 1823-6499
Abstract
Improper document management (DM) can produce poor and erroneous documents and cause major issues, such as claims and disputes, in construction projects. Adopting a proper documentation management system (DMS) will enable the smooth completion of construction projects to overcome such issues. Quality management systems such as the International Standard Organisation (ISO) standards are designed with generic DM requirements. In developed countries, standard project management procedures and manuals are often used to guide such document requirements. However, construction industries in developing countries are still behind in this regard. Hence, this study aimed to explore the current DM requirements in the Sri Lankan construction industry and the reasons for poor DM and provides suggestions for overcoming these problems. A questionnaire was given to a sample of 30 large construction-contracting organisations operating in Sri Lanka, all of which had ISO certification. The findings revealed 40 DM-related construction activities and their needs and uses by the selected companies. Based on the suggestions given by respondents, this study proposes how to implement these activities and develop an appropriate DMS for the construction industry. This research will offer useful implications for developing countries that use similar standards and encounter similar DM issues.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; contractors; documentation management; ISO; quality management system |
| Index terms: | contracting organization, construction project, developed country, documents, questionnaire, documentation, ISO, developing country, management system, certification, construction industry, project management, quality management system, Sri Lanka, construction activity, dispute |
| Subjects: | project delivery, construction operations, standards development, dispute resolution, practitioner, data collection methods, administrative processes, industry analysis, professional development, development economics, project management theory and practice, production management, Geography, management |
| Topics: | Geographical Context, Project Management, Research Practice, Information Management, Roles and Professions, Legal Issues, Quality Management, International Construction, Site Management, Organizational Design, Contract Administration |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here