3.2. The introduction of automation into management
practices
In the 1990s, there have been significant developments
in technology, which have resulted in the
production of very powerful software packages for
the construction industry. The ‘‘ad hoc’’ deployment
of such packages have resulted in improvements at
their local level of implementation, such as planning,
estimating, design, etc, but have added limited benefits
at the project level. The following examples are
caused by such a problem.
3.2.1. Electronic communication versus culture
Although many construction organisations are
using IT to improve specific processes/applications,
the construction industry still traditionally holds the
view of issuing hard copy documentation as against
electronic forms for auditing and record purposes.
Deng et al. [8, p. 241] show how communication in
the construction industry is complicated by its structural
problems.
When drawings are amended, the revised drawings
or instructions need to be in hard copy form
confirmed with the architect’s chop or signature
and the receipt of the drawings be acknowledged
by the contractors in writing. Therefore sending
these documents electronically cannot complete
these endorsement procedures.
The mixing of electronic and hard copies in
organisations make it difficult for project managers
to process the right information as and when
required.
3.2.2. Lack of software integration
A high percentage of the IT system solutions
(software) that are available today focus on specific
tasks such as project planning and monitoring, estimating,
design, etc. These isolated applications have
resulted in a broad spread of stand-alone applications
packages with no or ‘‘fixed’’ communication links.
The industry lacks an integrated comprehensive
system, which facilitates the smooth flow of information
between the various stages of the project
[1,3].
M. Alshawi, B. Ingirige / Automation in Construction 12 (2003) 349–364 351
3.2.3. Lack of a standardised platform for information
exchange
The incompatibility between hardware and software,
mentioned earlier, have raised a serious ‘‘technical’’
problem, which have prevented project
managers to easily access and manage project information.
These problems are caused by the lack of
standardisation of project information that can facilitate
the flow of information between incompatible
hardware and software. Therefore, IT systems that are
available and currently used by the industry do not
consider the needs of widely dispersed participants in
large construction projects [47].
3.2.4. Lack of proper decision-making tools for
project planning
Planning is a lengthy process and needs contributions
from the entire project team. It is also context
dependent. This process can be significantly improved
if appropriate decision-making tools are incorporated
into their structure. Comprehensive systems have not
yet been developed in this direction.
3.2. The introduction of automation into managementpracticesIn the 1990s, there have been significant developmentsin technology, which have resulted in theproduction of very powerful software packages forthe construction industry. The ‘‘ad hoc’’ deploymentof such packages have resulted in improvements attheir local level of implementation, such as planning,estimating, design, etc, but have added limited benefitsat the project level. The following examples arecaused by such a problem.3.2.1. Electronic communication versus cultureAlthough many construction organisations areusing IT to improve specific processes/applications,the construction industry still traditionally holds theview of issuing hard copy documentation as againstelectronic forms for auditing and record purposes.Deng et al. [8, p. 241] show how communication inthe construction industry is complicated by its structuralproblems.When drawings are amended, the revised drawingsor instructions need to be in hard copy formconfirmed with the architect’s chop or signatureand the receipt of the drawings be acknowledgedby the contractors in writing. Therefore sendingthese documents electronically cannot completethese endorsement procedures.The mixing of electronic and hard copies inorganisations make it difficult for project managersto process the right information as and whenrequired.3.2.2. Lack of software integrationA high percentage of the IT system solutions(software) that are available today focus on specifictasks such as project planning and monitoring, estimating,design, etc. These isolated applications haveresulted in a broad spread of stand-alone applicationspackages with no or ‘‘fixed’’ communication links.The industry lacks an integrated comprehensivesystem, which facilitates the smooth flow of informationbetween the various stages of the project[1,3].M. Alshawi, B. Ingirige / Automation in Construction 12 (2003) 349–364 3513.2.3. Lack of a standardised platform for informationexchangeThe incompatibility between hardware and software,mentioned earlier, have raised a serious ‘‘technical’’problem, which have prevented projectmanagers to easily access and manage project information.These problems are caused by the lack ofstandardisation of project information that can facilitatethe flow of information between incompatiblehardware and software. Therefore, IT systems that areavailable and currently used by the industry do notconsider the needs of widely dispersed participants inlarge construction projects [47].3.2.4. Lack of proper decision-making tools forproject planningPlanning is a lengthy process and needs contributionsfrom the entire project team. It is also contextdependent. This process can be significantly improvedif appropriate decision-making tools are incorporatedinto their structure. Comprehensive systems have notyet been developed in this direction.
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