Coordination and management of information for construction design projects : a framework for Portugal

In the construction industry in Portugal, the coordination and management ofinformation for construction design projects has been neglected. The use ofclassification systems and protocols for the communication of information amongstthe different stakeholders is poor and inefficient. This research aims to explore theviability of developing a systematic approach to the coordination of informationamongst the multiple project stakeholders in the Portuguese Construction Industry.Bearing this in mind, the core research question of this doctoral thesis is:What sort of framework and guidelines are needed for the successfulimplementation of a classification information system for construction projectdesign data in Portugal, which is accessible to all stakeholders involved?A mixed methods approach was developed for this purpose, with emphasisgiven to qualitative research techniques. Methods used comprised: literature review,quantitative survey, semi-structured interviews and focus groupdiscussions. Whereas quantitative research methods contributed to a more rigorousinterpretation process, qualitative research methods offered a solid description of theformer. This methodology was used in order to establish and design a conceptualclassification framework model for information coordination and managementthroughout the design project and construction in Portugal. First, constraints andenablers to framework development and implementation were identified at all levels:political, cultural and behaviour, legal, technical and educational, economic andfinancial, and organizational issues. Three overarching issues were also identified:corruption, lack of accountability and non-compliance timelines/deadlines. Then,a conceptual framework was developed, detailing 1) content, 2) characteristics of anenvironment conductive to a successful development, implementation and use of theframework, and 3) guidelines to its dissemination.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral (Level 8)

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Biscaya, S

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1337535

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:salford-repository.worktribe.com:1337535