The constraints to effective information flow in the construction management procurement system

The construction industry seems to suffer from a general inability to manage design information. The problem is that of a lack of understanding and good communication between design and construction teams. Information is often not delivered from the design team at the right time or in the right form to the contractor to allow construction of the project to time, cost and quality objectives. The process of information flow between designers and construction managers is described in a construction management procurement setting. The constraints affecting the process are identified with regard to achieving project savings in cost and time and quality control. A conceptual model has been developed with a view to aiding effective management of information flow between the designers and construction managers. The concept proposes a model by which information can be effectively managed through the integration of design, selection and construction phases of a project. Literature search, practical experience, and structured interviews with experts in the industry form the basis of the work described in the paper.