Coordination in the construction industry
Coordination (or co-ordination) refers to the process of organising people, systems, activities and so on so that they work together. Coordination is generally considered to improve efficiency and effectiveness, whilst fragmentation can cause inefficiencies and even clashes.
Coordination is a particular issue in the construction industry, where teams of people may come together to work on a complex design and construction involving many interrelated elements, and when the project is finished, they may disperse and might not work together again. Ensuring that this team works effectively together requires careful coordination, integration and collaboration – not something that the industry is always successful at achieving.
For more information see: Fragmentation
In the construction industry, co-ordination often refers to design coordination, that is, the integration of designs prepared by different members of the project team to create a single, unified set of information that can be constructed without clashes between components. Effective design coordination can help to reduce costs, delays and disruption that can be caused by problems on site and the need for remedial or abortive works and redesign.
For more information see: Design coordination.
Coordination in the construction industry may also refer to:
- BIM model coordination.
- Spatial coordination.
- Supply chain coordination.
- Coordination of documentation or policies.
- Coordination of construction activities.
- Coordination between bodies, such as government departments.
- Collaborative practices between project team members.
- Integration of systems, such as transport systems.
NB Roles in construction projects: analysis and terminology, by Hughes, W. and Murdoch, J. R, published in 2001 by the University of Reading, defines co-ordinate as: ‘Ensuring that information flows successfully between organizational links and assembling diverse outputs.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
UK Construction Week, London is here !
Debuting major international pavilions and much more.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.