Information management systems on construction projects: case reviews

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to present the findings from research that sought to evaluate the construction industry's approach to information management at the project level and to review the operation of an information management systems (IMS) on selected projects.Design/methodology/approach – Data from three IMS used on three separate construction projects were extracted over a four‐year period as the life of the construction stage of each project came to an end. Three distinct databases of the IMS were analysed and document statistics were extracted to demonstrate the level of activity within the construction project, and between members of the construction team, using a simple counting technique for each document type.Findings – The paper finds that major construction projects generate, process and store considerable quantities of real‐time information prior to, during, and post on‐site construction. The construction activities are shrouded in information and management of the construction project requi...