Information flow in the construction industry: a study and the development of its recommendations

Two factors combined in the United Kingdom to make improved communications a more important subject than had been the case previously. On the one hand the building industry is fragmented, in that design and construction are usually undertaken separately, the former by firms of professional architects, quantity surveyors and engineers usually working independently, the latter by contractors supported by a large number of specialist subcontractors. Conventionally, the design professions produce a complete and fully detailed design supported by specifications and bills of quantities, although usually some details are available only after work on site has commenced. On the basis of these documents contractors tender competitively, most contractors undertaking only a proportion of the total work, the remainder being undertaken by specialist subcontractors, some of whom are appointed directly by the client and others who work directly to the main contractors. Hence, at the tender stage in particular, there is need for clear and complete information. Additionally during design and construction there is a continuing requirement for information to be passed quickly and reliably between organizations. The basic system (Figure 1) only hints at the number of organizations involved in design and construction and the complex flow of information. Hence the importance, and growing importance, of a reliable, universal and efficient flow of information.