Integration and co-ordination of building services and its relationship with project management

Abstract

Co-ordination as one aspect of project management, should be carried out throughout the design/build process, and if done properly will lead to the full integration of building services with the building fabric. Particularly important is co-ordination in the early stages of a project, taking account of the functional aspects of the building. The ability to use particular techniques to co-ordinate the functional, spatial and information aspects of a project are shown to be limited by the influence of factors inherent in the industry. Because of these factors we are incurring greater costs than need be, and at the same time charging the client more for his building. Until the adverse effects of the influencing factors have been eliminated, attempts to improve co-ordination techniques will be thwarted. Fortunately steps are being taken at present to change some of these factors, e.g. New ACE Forms of Agreement and JCT Forms of Contract and the proposed revision to RIBA's Standard Conditions of Engagement. It is suggested that this degree of change may not be enough if we are to reap the benefits in the coming years of using computer systems as outlined in a computer scenario. The potential benefits of computers in improving our co-ordination techniques are enormous, but whether this potential is achieved will depend on our ability to adapt the influencing factors' so that the computer system can work efficiently.