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Defect management in project management: Why digital processes determine success or standstill

Written by Santana-Alina Hagemann | Jan 23, 2026 5:00:00 AM

Defects are part of every major plant engineering project. The decisive factor is not whether they occur - but how professionally defect management is organized in project management.
This is precisely where it is decided whether projects remain controllable or gradually lose time, money and trust.

A practical comparison impressively shows how big the difference between classic and digital defect management really is.

Defect managementin project management - why the process is crucial

Many parties come together in plant construction: clients, suppliers, construction site teams, planners and project managers.
When defects occur, information must flowquickly, clearly and comprehensibly.

In reality, this often fails due to

  • media breaks (paper, Excel, email)

  • multiple data entry

  • a lack of real-time transparency

  • unclear responsibilities

The result: delays, misunderstandings and unnecessary costs.

Practical example: Defect management without digital consistency

This is what the classic defect management process without digital project management often looks like:

 

Typical problems with this approach

  • Repeated transmission of the same information

  • High manual effort

  • Time delays due to email communication

  • No central, up-to-date database

  • High need for coordination due to lack of transparency

In short: the process thrives on improvisation - not control.

Practical example: digital defect management with project twins

Digital project management and a digital project twin fundamentally change the process.
It is not the plant that is digitally mapped - but the project status in real time.

This is what defect management with COMAN looks like:


What changes as a result

  • No media disruptions

  • No duplicate data entry

  • Clear responsibilities

  • Real-time transparency for all parties involved

  • Complete, audit-proof documentation