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BSj encourages engineers to offer expert and reliable advice to clients, but they cannot produce buildings alone.

It has been widely said that construction operates too often in silos of knowledge. Architect, engineers (of several varieties), contractors, subbies – not to mention the client who's footing the bill. All operating on one project, with a single goal in sight, but hardly communicating at all.

I may be showing my age here, but it brings to mind the old Mr and Mrs game show. The Mrs is locked in a soundproof booth while hubby has to answer awkward questions without conferring. Except in construction, we're all locked in our soundproof booths, while the client hammers on the doors trying to get a straight answer.

Richard Rooley, president of ASHRAE, says that we need a guide to Engineering for dumb architects; or Architecture for dumb engineers. He's only half joking. We need something to get professionals in the industry talking to each other; exchanging views, not just solicitors letters when it's all gone wrong. Brainstorming, not blamestorming.

Without exception, the most successful buildings are the result of good teamwork. But everyone has stories of projects which were a nightmare, and which everyone was glad to see the back of. Pity the poor client who has to live with the results.

We need to take the time to understand other professions in our industry, and to appreciate that construction is a joint effort. Don't turn away from issues such as partnering, or teamworking just because you think you've heard it all before.

We haven't learned those lessons yet. In fact, we've barely started getting the hang of it. If the industry is to improve its record on waste and increase its margins, then everyone needs to accept that improvement starts with the individual.