Construction informatics in Turkey: strategic role of ICT and future research directions

Construction Informatics deals with subjects ranging from strategic management of ICTs to interoperability and information integration in the construction industry. Studies on defining research directions for Construction Informatics have a history over 20 years. The recent studies in the area highlight the priority themes for Construction Informatics research as interoperability, collaboration support, intelligent sites and knowledge sharing. In parallel, today it is widely accepted in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industry that ICT is becoming a strategic asset for any organisation to deliver business improvement and achieve sustainable competitive advantage. However, traditionally the AEC industry has approached investing in ICT with a lack of strategic focus and low level of priority to the business. This paper presents a recent study from Turkey that is focused on two themes. The first theme investigates the strategic role of ICT implementations from an industrial perspective, and explores if organisations within the AEC industry view ICT as a strategic resource for their business practice. The second theme investigates the ‘perspective of academia’ in terms of future research directions of Construction Informatics. The results of the industrial study indicates that ICT is seen as a value-adding resource, but a shift towards the recognition of the importance of ICT in terms of value adding in winning work and achieving strategic competitive advantage is observed. On the other hand, ICT Training is found to be the theme of highest priority from the academia point of view

Construction informatics in Turkey: strategic role of ICT and future research directions

Construction Informatics deals with subjects ranging from strategic management of ICTs to interoperability and information integration in the construction industry. Studies on defining research directions for Construction Informatics have a history over 20 years. The recent studies in the area highlight the priority themes for Construction Informatics research as interoperability, collaboration support, intelligent sites and knowledge sharing. In parallel, today it is widely accepted in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (AEC) industry that ICT is becoming a strategic asset for any organisation to deliver business improvement and achieve sustainable competitive advantage. However, traditionally the AEC industry has approached investing in ICT with a lack of strategic focus and low level of priority to the business. This paper presents a recent study from Turkey that is focused on two themes. The first theme investigates the strategic role of ICT implementations from an industrial perspective, and explores if organisations within the AEC industry view ICT as a strategic resource for their business practice. The second theme investigates the ‘perspective of academia’ in terms of future research directions of Construction Informatics. The results of the industrial study indicates that ICT is seen as a value-adding resource, but a shift towards the recognition of the importance of ICT in terms of value adding in winning work and achieving strategic competitive advantage is observed. On the other hand, ICT Training is found to be the theme of highest priority from the academia point of view

Assessment of Information Technology Adoption in Project Information Exchange in Nigerian Construction Industry

Information Technology (IT) has been applied by various industries with significant improvement in the practice and strategic standing of the industries. Its successful application is evident in manufacturing, petroleum, banking, aerospace and military industries. However, despite this evidential benefit as a result of IT adoption, delayed receipt of project information and/or loss of the project data/information are still prevalent in the Nigerian construction industry. To reduce these inefficiencies in the data management of the industry, this study investigates the medium of project information exchange and examine the order of IT adoption in the Nigerian Construction industry. A quantitative approach using questionnaire survey was employed. Structured questionnaires were distributed among quantity surveyors in contracting, consulting and public sector. The resultant data was analyzed using descriptive statistical tool. The results revealed the dominance of the paper-based medium over the use of IT tools in information acquisition and dissemination in the construction industry. About three-quarter of drawings, specifications and schedules were acquired through printed copy (paper based), and only about one-tenth of these information were acquired through email and disk/flash. While about four-fifth of the bills of quantities, claims and final account documents/information were being disseminated through the traditional paper-based printed copy, and less than one-tenth of these information are being disseminated through email and disk/flash. The order of IT adoption and use in information acquisition in the Nigerian Construction industry was found to be paper based medium, then followed by online medium, email and others (mobile) came third and fourth respectively, while disk/flash and came fifth and sixth in ranking. Furthermore, in contrast to the order of IT adoption and use in information acquisition in the Nigerian Construction industry, paper-based and disk/flash medium came first and second in order of information dissemination. Emails and online medium came 3rd and 4th in place, while fax and others (such as mobile phone), came 5th and 6th in adoption and use. Thus, for construction professionals in developing countries to reap the benefit of IT, it must go beyond the use of paper based medium to the use of IT tools for the acquisition and dissemination of information in the industry

Improving the utility and value of CAD software for decision-making and design of structural frames

Three-dimensional modeling and visualization software is increasingly being used by building designers to represent structural frames and communicate design information upstream to their clients and downstream to suppliers/manufacturers. Although design processes and design management have been explored extensively per se, the upstream, heuristic decision-making stages of design in relation to 3D software appear to be underresearched. This is understandable because the human side of the process is complex and therefore less straightforward to map. Nevertheless, decisions made early in the project, such as the choice of structural frame, are critical to the project’s overall success. Studies of current practice indicate that such decisions tend to be based on heuristic decision-making processes rooted in subjectivity and qualitative reasoning. This paper reports the development of an objective, transparent and systematic selection process that operates effectively within a 3D modeling environment. An innovative framework for simultaneously comparing the performance of a range of structural options against agreed criteria was developed, using the two measures, Importance (I) and Performance (P), which can be used to calculate a Performance Weighted Score (PWS). This framework is a means of assessing ‘soft’ factors, alongside the conventional cost and time parameters now used in 4D modeling. It thus provides a useful example of a methodology for integrating ‘soft’ decision making in an otherwise ‘hard’ software environment

Information Communication Technology (ICT) usage in the South African Construction Professional Practice: Lessons Learnt

This paper examines the impact of ICT in professional practice in the South African construction industry. This is with the view that ICT utilization in professional practice has the potential to facilitate better decision-making ability and savings in operating costs, amongst others. The data for the study was derived from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data was obtained through the survey method, while the secondary data was obtained from the review of literature. The primary data for the study was collected through a structured questionnaire survey distributed to a sample of 37 professionals in the construction industry. The results revealed that architectural, engineering and quantity surveying functions have been largely computerised. However, data and document management is still done through the traditional way of manual filing. Therefore, because construction industry professionals are a rich source of information about ICT and its improvement within the industry, the study provide valuable insight into the current usage of ICT in construction professional practise firms, which thus reveals the level of ICT adaptation in South African CI. Hence, this thus shows that ICT surveys can be used to determine the number of users of these systems, identify the core impacts ICT has had on day to day activities

Perceptions of Quantity Surveyors on Challenges to and Benefits of Incorporating Information Technology in Quantity Surveying Practice in Ghana

This paper aimed at examining challenges and benefits associated with the incorporation of information technology (IT) in Ghanaian Quantity Surveying practice. A structured questionnaire survey was carried out to solicit the views of 45 Chief Quantity Surveyors of quantity surveying firms in Kumasi and Accra on the issues under investigation. Data obtained was analyzed by mean scores. The findings from the study revealed that Microsoft project, Autodesk Quantity Takeoff, Masterbill, In-house software and QSPlus are the most frequently used quantity surveying softwares in quantity surveying practices. The results further showed that ‘inadequate training and education in the use of IT tools’, ‘high cost of innovation/learning a new technology’ and ‘inadequate or erratic power supply’ are the top most challenges to the adoption of IT in QS practices. Increase in productivity through streamlined data entry and management, increased productivity through automated quantities and cost calculations and improved savings in operation cost are among the benefits perceived to be associated with the adoption of IT in Quantity Surveying practice. Identification of the challenges and knowing the benefits associated with the adoption of IT should encourage industry practitioners to embrace the future prospects of IT adoption

Current State Of Wireless Information Technology In The Construction Industry In Ohio

Construction projects are increasingly getting complex and fragmented in nature, yet contractors persistently face shortened project durations and reduced budgets. Timely delivery of accurate and reliable information among all project participants is critical and important because information is the foundation upon which decisions are made and projects are estimated, planned, monitored, and controlled. Recent developments in technology promise to introduce efficiencies that were not previously available to the industry. This study seeks to identify the current state of wireless information technology through the analysis of quantitative data from a web-based survey that represents the views of the respondents on the usage and interest in wireless technology. The study suggests that the level of interest in wireless technology is much higher than the level of use. Wireless technology enhanced the skills, productivity, and customer service of the participants, but did not improve their ability to negotiate projects and monitor project costs. The respondents believe that the return on investment is not a barrier; slow download speeds and durability are the largest barriers keeping people from using wireless technology

Assessment of Risks Associated with the Usage of Quantity Surveying Softwares in Nigeria: The Case Lagos State

Several researchers have acknowledged the impact of software in Quantity Surveying Practice. However, it is suspected that not all the consulting firms in Lagos State are making use of all the Quantity Surveying Softwares. Hence, this study identified a set of risk factors associated with the usage of these softwares. The research adopted convenient method of sampling. Twenty nine (29) consulting firms were selected out of which twenty six (26) responded appropriately. Data collection was through a structured questionnaire that was administered by the researchers using set predetermined questions. The result of the study reveals that all the quantity surveying firms in Lagos State work with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft word packages. Thirty percent (30%) of the consulting firms work with Master bill, Qs Cad, Qs Elite, Ripac, Computer Aided taking off (CATO) and Building information model software etc. It also reveals that changing trends in technology is the major factor that necessitates the usage of softwares in quantity surveying firms in Lagos State. Furthermore, Incompatibility in software packages is the major risk associated with the usage of quantity surveying softwares. This study recommends that Quantity surveying firms must ensure that the choice of software packages should be compatible with the existing model in Nigeria in terms of interoperability, portability and flexibility. Also, most estimators should be trained and given technical support so that they can become first-hand software expert

Perceptions of Quantity Surveyors on Challenges to and Benefits of Incorporating Information Technology in Quantity Surveying Practice in Ghana

This paper aimed at examining challenges and benefits associated with the incorporation of information technology (IT) in Ghanaian Quantity Surveying practice. A structured questionnaire survey was carried out to solicit the views of 45 Chief Quantity Surveyors of quantity surveying firms in Kumasi and Accra on the issues under investigation. Data obtained was analyzed by mean scores. The findings from the study revealed that Microsoft project, Autodesk Quantity Takeoff, Masterbill, In-house software and QSPlus are the most frequently used quantity surveying softwares in quantity surveying practices. The results further showed that ‘inadequate training and education in the use of IT tools’, ‘high cost of innovation/learning a new technology’ and ‘inadequate or erratic power supply’ are the top most challenges to the adoption of IT in QS practices. Increase in productivity through streamlined data entry and management, increased productivity through automated quantities and cost calculations and improved savings in operation cost are among the benefits perceived to be associated with the adoption of IT in Quantity Surveying practice. Identification of the challenges and knowing the benefits associated with the adoption of IT should encourage industry practitioners to embrace the future prospects of IT adoption

The Current State of Wireless Information Technology Among Employers of Bowling Green State University Construction Management Students

Successful implementation of wireless technology in the construction industry has the potential to streamline the building process and improve the service that is delivered to the owners of projects. A need exists for improving access and transfer of digital communication and documentation, regardless of the time or location. Recent developing trends in technology promise to introduce efficiencies that were not previously available within the industry. This study seeks to identify the current state of wireless information technology among employers of Bowling Green State University Construction Management students. The research design analyzed quantitative data from a web-based survey that presented results on views of the current usage and interest in wireless technology as well as an assessment of respondents’ opinions towards wireless technology. 72.1% of respondents had high interest towards using tablet PC’s, smartphones and wireless hotspots. However, email and drawings remain the only information that is accessed by the majority of respondents. While interest levels in wireless technology are high, the results of the research study reveal several areas that need improvement before significant progress is made. Several concerns were outlined that may be preventing adoption including slow download speeds and durability of devices. Respondents who are spending more time per week on their wireless device are able to realize improvements on productivity and customer service skills