Application of it to improve the design process in the construction sector of Pakistan: A case of the specification management process

There is growing awareness of concerns expressed by the people who live in developing countries relating to the use of information technology (IT). Construction industry of Pakistan is very slow in adopting information technology. The main argument quoted against technology is the poor economic conditions. A persuasive argument, in favour, is found in the contribution of IT in improving the design process thereby quality of production, and its capability to save time. The growing complexity in the number of professionals and products has rendered designing phase of the Pakistani construction sector disintegrated. The research described in this thesis involved the application of information technology to improve its design process, more specifically in improving the specification management process. This study sets out to investigate the British construction industry context, in which it explores the level of contribution of IT and the package specification manager in improving its design process so as to gain an insight into the issues and opportunities to establish guidelines for its application in the Pakistani industry. For this reason, a field survey of the British construction industry was conducted involving a survey of 43 firms of varying size which highlighted that IT has offered a major contribution in improving its design process. The study suggested that the package 'Specification Manager' in addition to improving the specification management process is also changing the role of professionals. The results show that IT and the package has provided four fold benefits in improving the design process, in saving time, on the management of projects and offices, in satisfying client and improving the quality of product. The common barriers for IT packages and the specification manager were training, cost and the age of employees. Additionally Specification Manager was instrumental in reducing the specification errors and in writing complete and comprehensive specifications.