Optimizing design management process by assessment of information maturity at design stage

Abstract

The unique natures of construction industry, poor understanding and capturing of client's requirement, complicated external factors surrounding, improper communication between temporary teams etc, lead to delays in completions of projects, cost overruns and fierce conflicts among various parties of projects. Effective communication among parties inspires build-up of trust, knowledge transfer, problems-shoot that enables delivery of project on time and with reasonable cost. Hence design information flow efficiently is the foundation for successful construction project. Design Management is becoming increasingly recognized as critical to the success of complex construction projects, in particular at design stage. This paper is an attempt to understand the theoretical underpinnings of design management as suggested in the books, literatures. On the basis of this understanding, the significance of effective information management is exposed. As responding, this paper introduces a concept, namely "Tube map", to assess the maturity of design information, in order to optimize the design decision making. Additionally this paper explains the problems and constraints facing during design management. It also presents and discusses the available tools and techniques for design management. Eventually the paper stressed the necessity on management of construction process, its success replies on the implementation of collaborative design in conjunction with design management process operated by contemporary digital information tool, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), that is a combination of knowledge, experience and acceptance of various parties within the project. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group.