Application of Data Warehouse and Data Mining in Construction Management

All construction project are constrained by their schedules, budgets and specifications, and safety and environmental regulations. These constraints made construction management more complex and difficult. At the same time, many historical data that can support the decisions in the future are kept in construction enterprises,. To use the historical data effectively and efficiently, it is essential to apply the data warehouse and data mining technologies. This paper introduces a research which aims to develop a data warehouse system according to the requirements of construction enterprises and use data mining technology to learn useful information and knowledge from the data warehouse system. The design, the development and the application of this system are detailedly introduced in this paper

The effect of using group decision support system in Value Management studies: an experimental study

Abstract A group decision support system (GDSS) can be helpful to VM users overcome difficulties in value management (VM) workshops. A web-based GDSS known as interactive value management system (IVMS) is introduced in this paper. A comparative experimental study is undertaken to investigate the extent to which the use of IVMS can improve the performance of VM workshops by using a competing value approach (CVA). This study compares and contrasts the performance of a traditional VM workshop with an IVMS-supported VM workshop in three aspects: (1) process measures, (2) outcome measures, and (3) participants' satisfaction. The process measures indicate that IVMS is helpful in improving the efficiency, information reliability and supportability of decision and participation process, while the outcome measures show groups supported by IVMS perform better in ideas generations. The results also indicate that the use of GDSS results in increasing participant satisfaction

Cognition driven framework for improving collaborative working in construction projects: Negotiation perspective

Negotiation is the popular collaborative decision‐making behavior in inter‐organization systems, especially in the collaborative working in construction projects (CWCP). However, negotiation has long been recognized as a critical but time‐ and energy‐consuming process. The lack of an effective framework to improve the efficiency (performance) of negotiation is a major problem for those seeking to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of collaborative working in construction projects. This paper aims to develop a cognitive mapping‐based application framework for improving collaborative working in construction project from negotiation perspective (CF‐CWCP). This framework includes two‐fold: (1) mapping negotiation process in construction projects using cognitive mapping technique; (2) developing CF‐CWCP by integrating intelligent agent and cognitive mapping techniques. This research will benefit the partners in construction projects to improve construction negotiation performance. A prototype of CF‐CWCP is developed. Santrauka Derybos yra populiarus bendradarbiavimu gristas tarimasis tarp organizaciniu sistemu priimti sprendi‐mus, ypač vykdant statybu projektus. Derybos jau seniai suvokiamos kaip vertingas, tačiau daug laiko ir energijos atimantis procesas. Veiksmingos sistemos, galinčios padeti pagerinti derybu efektyvuma, trūku‐mas yra viena iš pagrindiniu problemu siekiantiems padidinti bendradarbiavimo veiksminguma vykdant statybos projektus. Pagrindinis šio straipsnio tikslas ‐ išpletoti pažinimo kartografija paremtos sistemos, kuri pagerintuben‐dradarbiavima vykdant statybos projektus, taikyma atsižvelgiant i derybu perspektyvas. Šia sistema suda‐ro dvi dalys: 1) kartografinis derybu procesas vykdant statybos projektus, pagristas pažinimo kartografijos technologija; 2) pažinimo sistemos, gerinančios bendradarbiavima vykdant statybos projektus, pletojimas integruojant intelektinius agentus ir pažinimo kartografijos technologija. Šis tyrimas pades statybu projek‐tu dalyviams pagerinti derybu efektyvuma, be to, išpletotas pažinimo sistemos prototipas. First Published Online: 09 Jun 2011 Reikšminiai žodžiai: pažinimo kartografija, bendradarbiavimas, derybos, statybos projekta

Exploring the design risk factors for modular integrated construction projects

Purpose: Modular integrated construction (MiC) is considered as a process innovation to improve the performance of construction projects. However, effective delivery of MiC projects requires management of risks and uncertainties throughout its delivery chain. Although the design stage of MiC projects is usually managed with limited knowledge based on highly uncertain data and associated with epistemic uncertainties, MiC design risks have not received adequate research attention relative to other stages. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a knowledge-based evaluation and ranking of the design risk factors (DRFs) for MiC projects. Design/methodology/approach: The paper reviewed the relevant literature to identify potential DRFs and validated their relevance through pilot expert review. The paper then used questionnaires to gather data from international MiC experts from 18 countries and statistically analyzed the data set. Findings: Analysis results showed that the five most significant DRFs for MiC projects include unsuitability of design for the MiC method; late involvement of suppliers, fabricators and contractors; inaccurate information, defective design and change order; design information gap between the designer and fabricator; and lack of bespoke MiC design codes and guidelines. A correlation analysis showed that majority of the DRFs have statistically significant positive relationships and could inform practitioners on the dynamic links between the DRFs. Practical implications: The paper provides useful insight and knowledge to MiC practitioners and researchers on the risk factors that could compromise the success of MiC project designs and may inform design risk management. The dynamic linkages among the DRFs instruct the need to adopt a system-thinking philosophy in MiC project design. Originality/value: This paper presents the first study that specifically evaluates and prioritizes the risk events at the design stage of MiC projects. It sets forth recommendations for addressing the identified DRFs for MiC projects

The moderating effect of perceived policy effectiveness on recycling intention

Currently, recycling is one of the main strategies to reduce the reliance on landfills in Hong Kong, where its landfills will reach their full capacities by the end of the 2010s. In this study, we surveyed 246 people in Hong Kong to examine the moderating effect of perceived policy effectiveness on recycling. According to the results, the perceived policy effectiveness negatively moderated the relationships between subjective norm and recycling intention, as well as those between consequences awareness and recycling intention. The findings provided insightful information for policy makers to shape a more effective recycling policy