Rethinking construction: the Generic Design and Construction Process Protocol

TLDR

Construction projects in the UK suffer from linear, uncoordinated, and highly variable processes due to industry fragmentation. The Process Protocol, developed by the University of Salford, integrates all lifecycle phases and participants into a unified framework, emphasizing the fuzzy front end and client decision‑making to foster a learning organization.

Abstract

The complexity of construction projects and the fragmentation of the construction industry undertaking those projects has effectively resulted in linear, uncoordinated and highly variable project processes in the UK construction sector. Research undertaken at the University of Salford resulted in the development of an improved project process, the Process Protocol, which considers the whole lifecycle of a construction project whilst integrating its participants under a common framework. The Process Protocol identifies the various phases of a construction project with particular emphasis on what is described in the manufacturing industry as the ‘fuzzy front end’. The participants in the process are described in terms of the activities that need to be undertaken in order to achieve a successful project and process execution. In addition, the decision‐making mechanisms, from a client perspective, are illustrated and the foundations for a learning organization/industry are facilitated within a consistent Process Protocol.