Construction projects contain complex networks of information and instructions which need to be compiled, amended, shared, amended and executed in order to facilitate its successful completion.
In his report Latham (1994) highlighted the fact that the communication of information within the construction industry was highly inefficient . This poor management of information can have serious implications on the running of construction projects according to Gyampoh-Vidogah, Moreton, and Proverbs (2003), while Finch, Flanagan, and Marsh (1996) specify that incomplete information often leads to longer procurement times and inaccurate cost estimations.
The industry in general is currently at the later stages of its transformation into the digital age and has already adopted electronic systems for such related disciplines as:
 Building Information Modelling (BIM)
 Electronic Document Management (EDM) (RICS, 2005)
 Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
The process of electronic tender procurement will essentially be a process of EDI that will facilitate principles of EDM and with the possible aim for the inclusion of BIM at some stage.
According to Björk (2006), „the rapid proliferation of the internet has also made possible the introduction of tools which facilitate e-collaboration between geographically dispersed teams, either in single organisations or in project organisations’. These electronic data sharing facilities are used more at the initial stages of projects and their use slows down as the job progresses (Andresen, Christensen, & Howard, 2003). With this in mind, the tender procurement stage of contracting could well benefit greatly from this type of management approach.
The aim of this report is to prove the value of electronic methods in facilitating efficient and effective running of the tender procurement phase while at the same time identifying currently available solutions. After evaluating the available options against the defined problems, a plan will be formulated for the successful implementation of an electronic procedure for tendering contracts through electronic means.