Managing the Design Process in the Construction Industry: A Literature Review

摘要

Construction has existed since human existence. From the building of huts for shelter in the old ages to the construction of mega structures in recent times, the industry has developed over the years and has grown to become an enviable industry. It has transformed from a single person being the designer, builder and manager to a project environment where multiple organisations and professionals play a part. However this has not solved all the problems in the industry. One of the major concerns of the industry is the management of the design process. It is evident that unlike the olden days where buildings were built with the “trial and error” style of design as the construction went on, today’s industry engages designs before construction. The findings in this review have been based solely secondary data, with extensive review of literature that was available on the subject. The review is to generate more interest in this field since there is still more to be unfolded. This research reviewed some models of the design process, industry practice on design management and the role of project management in today’s industry. It however does not conclude on which of the models best suits the industry but suggests that the design process should not be managed with the same rigid tools and techniques of project management. It was concluded that the definition for design was contextual but shared certain key characteristics. The definitive part of the construction process needs a coherent management and coordination process for all stakeholders to enable the achievement if the key performance indicators of the project.