Effectiveness of Coordination Methods in Construction Projects

Abstract

Proper coordination is critical to the success of construction projects. Relevant studies have addressed the frequency and information quality of communication, but their combination and contribution to the effectiveness of coordination methods need to be examined. This paper explores two variables that affect coordination effectiveness: quantity and quality, as well as their relationships with coordination effectiveness and project performance. Eight coordination methods used on construction projects were examined and a questionnaire was designed accordingly. Then 26 contractor engineers at three organizational levels working on seven large projects were surveyed and interviewed to collect information about their coordination methods. The analysis results indicated that coordination quality is more related to coordination effectiveness (and indirectly to project performance) than coordination quantity. Projects that performed well had better coordination effectiveness than projects that performed poorly. It was also found that engineers could spend less time on written correspondence, plans and procedures, and reports without reducing their effectiveness.