Number of project phases

There are many different phases of an infrastructure  project, e.g. project selection, planning, design, financing, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance.

In addition, different types of work are undertaken during the construction phase, e.g. site clearance, excavation, foundations, building structure works, roofing, equipment installation, site restoration.

Each phase or type of work may involve different organisations and management teams and may require handover of the completed phase or type of work to the project participant undertaking the next phase or type of work. 

This leads to difficulties in control and oversight, and one participant blaming another for any issues arising. 

For example, if cracking appears in a building structure, each of the designer, foundations contractor and building contractor may blame each other for the issue, and it may be difficult to establish who is to blame, and whether the cause of the defect is negligence or corruption.