Fox, S; Marsh, L and Cockerham, G (2002) How building design imperatives constrain construction productivity and quality. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 9(5-6), pp. 378-387. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Since the early 1960s, the construction industry has been continually criticized for its low productivity and poor quality. Throughout this period, it has been widely recognized that building design has a significant impact on construction performance. As a result, considerable research and industry efforts have been focused on improving information and activities in the building design process. This paper reports the findings of a study which investigated how design imperatives affect design information and design activities. First, design imperatives are defined. Then, an analysis of their determining influence on design information and design activities are provided. Next, it is explained how design imperatives, rather than information and activities, constrain productivity and quality by limiting production options. In conclusion, it is argued that design imperatives have a greater influence on productivity and quality than the industry in which design is carried out.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | bespoke; custom; productivity; quality; standard; tailored |
| Index terms: | construction industry, construction productivity, option, productivity, construction performance, building design |
| Subjects: | architectural design, performance assessment, operations management, industry analysis, decision analysis, management |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Site Management, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Project Management, Risk Management |
| 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