In 2015, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) embarked on a series of “Quality of Documents” workshops across Canada. In BC workshops were sponsored by NRCA in Prince George and VRCA in Vancouver with participants invited from across the Province. It was an opportunity to discuss the issue of poor quality documentation in the Canadian building industry. The workshops involved participants who represented all stakeholder groups in the industry, including owners, consultants, contractors, and engineers, who discussed the causes, and potential solutions to address poor quality and incomplete construction documents.

In April 2016 the CCA issued its report on the findings from the workshops and a questionnaire the participants responded to. The results revealed some key themes and causes of poor documentation. Listed in order of the highest impact (from the top) these causes/issues include:

• Lack of final coordination, checking and proofreading
• Insufficient time for design
• Lack of coordination between architects and engineers
• Owners’ (unnecessary) pressure
• Insufficient fee/design contingency
• Shortage of skilled/qualified people

The key findings and takeaways from the report focus on:

• The accountabilities in producing quality documents
• Education
• Proper use of technology
• Communication & trust
• Introducing industry best practices for quality documentation.

CCA emphasizes that quality of construction documents remains an industry-wide issue, and one that affects owners, consultants and contractors alike. There is no party that is infallible, and all stakeholders have an important role to play in addressing this issue.

The report does not go so far as to make suggestions related to solutions to this industry-wide issue; it does provide demonstrable data that outlines areas that can be improved in order to enhance the quality of documentation in the industry.

Utilizing the findings from the nationwide workshops, and collaborating with other industry associations will be essential to help improve the quality of documentation in the Canadian construction and building industry, and help the industry move forward in a positive and progressive manner.

To read the complete report from the Canadian Construction Association, view it here.

Read a similar Construction File on Quality of Documents: The Pitfalls of Incomplete Contract Document