Aj Marshall-Ponting

Information technology support to improved construction processes : inter-disciplinarity in research and practice

Research and innovation in the built environment is increasingly taking on an inter-disciplinary nature. The built environment industry and professional practice have long adopted multi and inter-disciplinary practices. The application of IT in Construction is moving beyond the automation and replication of discrete mono and multi-disciplinary tasks to replicate and model the improved inter-disciplinary processes of modern design and construction practice. A major long-term research project underway at the University of Salford seeks to develop IT modelling capability to support the design of buildings and facilities that are buildable, maintainable, operable, sustainable, accessible, and have properties of acoustic, thermal and business support performance that are of a high standard. Such an IT modelling tool has been the dream of the research community for a long time. Recent advances in technology are beginning to make such a modelling tool feasible. Some of the key problems with its further research and development, and with its ultimate implementation, will be the challenges of multiple research and built environment stakeholders sharing a common vision, language and sense of trust. This paper explores these challenges as a set of research issues that underpin the development of appropriate technology to support realisable advances in construction process improvements.

A multi-faceted approach to optimising a complex unplanned healthcare system

Unscheduled and urgent health care represents the largest area of activity and cost for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). Like typical complex systems unplanned care has the features of interdependence and having structures at different scales which requires modelling at different levels. The aim of this paper is to discuss the development of a multifaceted approach to study and optimise this complex system. We aim to integrate four different methodologies to gain better understanding of the nature of the system and to develop ways to enhance its performance. These methodologies are: (a) Lean/ Flow theory to look at the process and patients and other flows; (b) Simulation/ System Dynamics to undertake analytical analysis and multi-level modelling; (c) stakeholder consultation and use of system thinking to analyse the system and identify options, barriers and good practice; and (d) visual analytic modelling to facilitate effective decision making in this complex environment. Of particular concern are the boundary issues i.e. how changes in unplanned care will impact on the adjacent facilities and ultimately on the whole Healthcare system.