Online remote construction management

Abstract

Computer application within construction companies began little more than a decade after
the first electronic computer was built (1950s). It seemed like a promising start when
breakthrough computer-based project management techniques such as the critical path
method (CPM) moved quickly into the construction industry. Now that the construction
industry is in its fourth decade of computer applications things have been changing more
rapidly (Paulson, 1995).
Construction, unlike many other industries, is heavily fragmented with numerous design
firms, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers involved in almost every project. Further,
the construction industry is plagued with many problems. Arguably one of the most
significant problems presently facing the industry is communication. The industry is
characterised by inaccurate and untimely communications that often result in costly delays to
the progress of a project, and if current level of international research activities are any
guide, information technology (IT) is seen by many as a potential solution to this problem.
Computers can provide unifying modelling, management and communications systems to
bring the unique talents of project participants together in a more productive and integrated
manner. Paulson (1995) comments that leading consulting and construction firms are
increasingly recognising computers as a strategic technology, and it is very probable that
these firms will be the ones who will ensure the industry’s success in the future. Despite
advances in computing and IT, the construction industry is making insufficient use of
transferring project data and information electronically. McCaffer et. al. (1991) argues that
data exchange between project participants is still largely undertaken on paper.
The Online Remote Construction Management (ORCM) project - a collaborative research
project funded and supported by a number of Australian (Queensland) industry, government
and university based project partners - commenced in July 1999 aiming, in general, to
develop, trial and/or evaluate IT tools and/or Web-based communication systems on various
building and civil construction projects over a two-year period, thereby allowing collaborative
design, management and construction to be undertaken between members of a
geographically dispersed project consortium. Additionally, the project aimed to demonstrate
leadership in facilitating the use of online technologies for the design, management and
construction of building and civil construction projects, by identifying and implementing
appropriate IT (Web-based) communication solutions that will ultimately: (a) help improve the
flow of project communications and to ensure that communications occur in a controlled,
timely and less costly manner than would traditionally be the case; (b) ensure that
information leakage is kept to an absolute minimum; and thus (c) ensuring that all members
of the project consortia are in possession of the most up-to-date and accurate project
information (Figure 2-1).
The ORCM Research Project was jointly funded by the Queensland University of Technology
(QUT) Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Construction
Research Alliance (based at QUT, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia); Queensland
Government Information Industries Bureau (IIB) Department of Communication and
Information, Local Government, Planning and Sport; Queensland Department of Main Roads
(QDMR); and Queensland Department of Public Works (QDPW).