Impact of Information Concepts on Construction Performance

This paper introduces three concepts: Drucker's knowledge worker from the "Post Capitalist Society," Just In Time (JIT) principle from Toyota's application in lean manufacturing, and Information Measurement Theory (IMT) to identify the potential impact of performance information in the delivery of construction. The three concepts are used to structure the construction delivery system into an efficient information system, which makes best value procurement effective and useable. The paper defines the difference between a construction manager and an information worker, shows how less information is more effective than more information, and how a full information system is the most effective method of regulating performance. Many of the issues of performance information are resolved by the concepts including how to compare subjective and objective criteria, how to minimize litigation over performance information, and the obstacles in implementing the information system.