Integration and interoperability for the optimisation of information flow in construction project lifecycle

Integration and interoperability are paradigms that have been proposed to alleviate challenges associated with data exchange between systems for managing construction project information. However, with the overwhelming number of emerging software in practice, their performance vis-à-vis integration and interoperability especially from a lifecycle perspective is yet to be fully explored. This study investigates the use of emerging ICT in the optimisation of information exchange across the lifecycle of a construction project. A quantitative approach was used to achieve the aim of this study. The first main finding of this study is that BIM is the most integrated and most effective technology when compared with other technologies. The second most important finding is the fact that most professionals will consider exchanging data at the developed design-technical design and technical design-construction phases