The SfB SYSTEM AND The INFORMATION PROBLEMS OF The BUILDING INDUSTRY

Abstract

I intend in this paper to describe the methods we are evolving to deal with information problems in the building industry. But first I must say something of the industry itself. Not only is it a very large industry but it is fragmented in organization. The most common process involved in building is that the client who pays for the building initiates it by calling upon an architect to investigate his building needs in detail and to prepare designs. The architect is invariably advised by an independent quantity surveyor about likely costs, who, after approval of the designs, prepares specifications and bills of quantities. These documents, together with detailed working drawings, are used to invite tenders from general contractors. The successful general contractor enters into a contract with the client and then constructs the building. Construction is a process involving the identification and transport of large numbers and quantities of building products and their co‐ordinated assembly on site, following the instructions in the contract documents which are in the form of drawings, specifications, and bills of quantities. The building products, such as cement and blocks, and equipment such as boilers are ordered by the general contractor from manufacturers, merchants or specialist contractors to the specification of the architect. The architect is aided in design and specification by specialist technologists and consulting engineers.

Citation

BULLIVANT, D. (1963), "The SfB SYSTEM AND The INFORMATION PROBLEMS OF The BUILDING INDUSTRY", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 15 No. 1, pp. 9-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb049918