Integrated Design System to Support Partnering Practice in the Water Industry

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The Egan report on the UK construction has identified the traditional competitive tendering as one of the main causes for the poor performance of the industry. It recommends the use of supply chain Partnering to deliver valuable performance improvements. Partnering involves two or more organisations working together to improve performance through agreeing mutual objectives, devising a way for resolving any disputes and committing themselves to continuous improvement, measuring progress and sharing the gains. To realise the full potential of partnering it is necessary to implement an effective and reliable information infrastructure in support of integrated information management and exchange in the project process. This paper describes an on-going research project, GALLICON, funded by the Department of Environment, Transport and Regions (DETR) and a consortium of companies who are involved in the design and construction of water treatment plants in the UK. Its main aim is to develop an integrated design system which facilitates the collaboration and information sharing between the partnering organisations during the design of water treatment plants.

KEYWORDS integrated system, information sharing, water industry, integrated project database