The construction industry involves complex supply chain which comprises of many companies with different types of specializations and industries ranging from consultancy services, building materials manufacturers, fabricators, system integrators, various sub-contractors and installers and could be in many different locations within the country or overseas. The architect and engineers might be based in the United Kingdom and Australia, the contractor’s design office in Korea, a project team and the site itself is in Malaysia.
The majority of construction processes are still based on traditional means of communication such as face-to-face meetings and the exchange of paper documents i.e. letters, architectural and engineering drawings, specifications, site instructions etc. The need to increase the efficiency of these processes via exchanging massive volumes of information at high speed and at relatively low cost has been long recognised by the industry (Deng et al., 2001). However, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in construction has not progressed to the level that can be seen in other industries (Flanagan et al., 1998). This slow progress is contributed by the construction industry’s culture and market forces, thus affecting the extent of IT adoption in day-to-day business processes (Baldwin et al., 1999).
The relationship between parties involved in the construction project is normally complex and involves many areas which extended across technical, functional, business, and human dimensions. Companies involve in construction project are usually using different type of computer software and systems in managing their companies. The issue of compatibility and integration of information technology system become the main factor that hindering the fast development of IT in construction industry.
As a result, the focus must be given to the intensive collaboration among the parties involved in the construction project to synchronise the supply chain line. A key enabler to successful collaboration is the ability to communicate, share and exchange project information in a timely and accurate manner. The need for electronic sharing of information between the client financial bodies in the areas of finance and accounting; consultants in the areas of designing, modeling and calculations; project managers in the areas of project planning, controlling & monitoring and documents control system; contractors in the areas of shopdrawings, materials procurement, project planning, quality systems, documents control, and communication systems; and suppliers in the area of materials procurement have been recognised by the construction industry players.
With the existence of this complexities, how can all the parties involved in the project communicate effectively, efficiently and promptly to ensure the smooth running of the construction project?
The key to solve the problem is by using a standard or a common language between systems for sharing, exchanging and managing information produced or acquired during the life of a construction project electronically via the Internet. The framework for this communication and information exchanging is the Project Collaboration environment, i.e. the software and systems that enable all parties involved in the project to work within a central project database.
Web-based collaboration platforms provide a valuable tool in the areas of information sharing, file transfer, communication and reporting on associated tasks. These platforms also present construction project participants with an opportunity to improve the efficiency of document exchange, better control project communications and enhance team collaboration.
One of the challenges in deploying this platform is in gaining acceptance by all the users. There are so many documents generated in the course of a construction project, it is almost impossible to believe that some of the processes can be converted to paperless. The key is in the method of implementing the new solution. Therefore, any solution that is introduced should not be too alien to the existing culture or it may result in the system being underutilised or even worse, rejected.
Nowadays, there are many companies offering web based collaboration construction and project management system. Check out these websites:
eProject http://www.eproject.com
CTSpace http://www.ctspace.com
Projectmates http://www.projectmates.com
Aconex http://www.aconex.com
Optus InCITE http:// www.incite.com
E-Builder http://www.e-builder.net
Many construction industry players, however, are still not convinced that these platforms will improve responsiveness, efficiency and control of construction-related business operations of their companies. This dissatisfaction is in part due to the difficulty in measuring operational benefits and the payoff from their investments in IT.
REFERENCES
Baldwin, A.N. Thorpe, A. & Carter, C. 1999. The use of electronic information exchange on
construction alliance projects. Automation in Construction.
Betts, M. 1999. Strategic Management of IT in Construction. Blackwell Science: Oxford.
Betts, M Smit, D. Stewart R., and Wall, J. 2005. Implementing Web-Based Collaboration Platforms in Construction:Evaluating the Eastlink Experience. Queensland University of Technology
Deng, Z.M. Li, H. Tam, C.M. Shen, Q.P. & Love, P.E.D. 2001. An application of internet based project management system. Automation in Constructio.
Flanagan, R. Ingram, I. & Marsh, L. 1998. A Bridge to the Future: Profitable Construction for Tomorrow’s Industry and it’s Customers. Thomas Telford: Springfield.
Totally agree with that, firms such as Aconex, PlanGrid or Procore have taken it to the next level by providing simple and easy to use project management applications.
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