Improving the Information Flow in the Construction Phase of a Construction Project

Abstract

In a company and project level it has been noticed that the fluent flow of information will be an essential part of streamlined processes. In the construction phase of a construction project, the information transfers between numerous parties, via different platforms and between people and systems. As the information field in the construction business is highly dispersed, managing the information flow within it is important in terms of efficient workflows. The study focuses on the problems perceived in the flow of information and the methods of improving the information flow with Lean and Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the construction phase. The study consists of a literature research and an empirical section, which is conducted as a case study. The data collection methods used in the case study are interviews, documents and direct observations made by the researcher. The results of the case study are analyzed and compared with literature findings. There are three cases from different construction phases and altogether six site managers and engineers from the case company are interviewed. The case study indicates that the element fabrication schedule and manufacturing status of prefabricated elements is prone to change during the project and thus cause a need for a change to the construction process and management. Therefore, it is beneficial that the latency of information regarding prefabricated elements is cut down to minutes instead of hours or even days. As a result, the information flow in the construction phase can be improved especially by 4D scheduling with the use of Last Planner System, the visualization of digital assembly and schedule information in BIM environment and the integration with the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system of prefabrication suppliers.