Mustafa Alshawi

Web- Enabled Project Management: An Emerging Paradigm in Construction

Abstract The paper addresses the emerging paradigm of performing project management over the web. It describes the pitfalls in current project management practices amidst the challenges they have to face due to increasing project complexities. At present, the government, industry and clients are all seeking to bring about change in the construction industry to improve quality, competitiveness and profitability and increase value to clients. The findings of this report will highlight how web-enabled project management and its associated features are strongly linked at fulfilling the above endeavours of the parties concerned. However, it emphasises that in order to successfully embrace web-enabled project management equal consideration should be given to technology, processes and people.

An industry foundation classes Web-based collaborative construction computer environment: WISPER

Abstract Collaborative working in construction is becoming a reality as many activities are performed globally with actors based in various geographical locations. This paper discusses the development and implementation of a collaborative working environment for construction at the University of Salford which is known as Web-based IFC Shared Project EnviRonment (WISPER). The environment is based on a three tier architecture, where user interfaces, business logic and database are kept separate. A Web and Industry Foundation Classes-based (IFC-based) distributed computer integrated environment has been developed. This environment supports design (CAD), visualisation (VR and Drawing Web Format — DWF), estimating, planning, specifications and supplier information. WISPER enables project information to be exchanged through a STEP Part 21 file and shared through the IFC database. Meanwhile, a set of Web pages allows for remote interaction, as well as access to and the distribution of applications. This provides great flexibility and portability, thereby enabling construction professionals to contribute as well as to perform and manage their own activities.

An alternative model for measuring the success of IS projects: the GPIS model

Purpose – Aims to present an alternative holistic measurement model, the general practitioner IS (GPIS) measurement model, which assists managers in determining the organisations state of readiness prior to IS investment.Design/methodology/approach – The model is based on assessing four organisational key elements: IT infrastructure, processes, people and work environment.Findings – Presents a classification of the current IS success measurement approaches. The existing approaches were classified into three categories: product‐based, process‐based, and general maturity‐based. The paper highlighted their shortcomings and explained the need for an alternative holistic model to measure IS success in contributing to the business objectives. This has led to the development of a quick reference model “GPIS” to enable organisations to determine their current and required state of readiness for a particular IS project.Originality/value – The paper presents a novel categorisation of the literature in this field.

Distributed Object environment : Using international standards for data exchange in the construction industry

As a contribution to the international efforts toward the development of an integrated technology (IT) for managing project information, a major research project has been undertaken at the University of Salford. Based on advances in international standards in data models, i.e., the Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs), and communication protocols, i.e., the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), this project has successfully developed and implemented a three-tier computer architecture environment to integrated design and construction applications. The IFC data model has been implemented as the single project database in an open and distributed computer environment whereby the World Wide Web has been used as the delivery medium. This article explains the background of this project, outlines other international efforts in this field, introduces the concept of the three-tier computer architecture, and discusses the proposed structure for the integrated environment along with its implementation issues.

Data and process models for the integration of estimating and valuation

The AIC (Automation and Integration in Construction) Research Group at the University of Salford is currently working on the development of a PC-based integrated environment prototype called SPACE (Simultaneous Prototyping for An integrated Construction Environment). SPACE aims to incorporate various construction applications, enabling project information to be shared between these applications and allowing the user to run them simultaneously, i.e., concurrent engineering. The purpose of this paper is to present the EVALUATOR [project Estimate and interim VALUation (monthly) generATiOn in an integRated environment] application of SPACE. EVALUATORs main objectives are twofold : (1) to produce the project estimate in the form of an elemental bill of quantities (BQ) and (2) to generate monthly interim valuation certificates from the construction plan. Various structured analysis techniques have been implemented to model this application as an integral part of SPACE. The resulting Express-G (static data) and IDEFO (process) models are described. In addition, the sharing of information between EVALUATOR and the other relevant applications within the integrated environment is also discussed.

Knowledge-based learning environments for construction

Abstract Developments in information technology have revolutionised the delivery of online learning to such an extent that interoperability, scalability, adaptability and mass-customisation are now becoming practical solutions for pan global delivery. However, whilst advocates of virtual learning environments, and advanced learning management systems often extol the virtues of e-learning per se, they often fail to articulate the limitations of such systems, especially concerning the ‘personalisation’ of the learning process and incompatibility with pedagogic needs. This paper presents an analysis of previous research in the field of knowledge based learning environments using the context of construction as an exemplar. A conceptual framework for developing a fully-customisable knowledge-based learning environment is proposed which uses knowledge objects linked to an object oriented database, the concept of which embraces interoperability, intelligent tutoring, shareability (learning content), and an intelligent interface to manage advanced learning object metadata.

Applying object-oriented analysis to the integration of design and construction

This paper implements an Object Oriented Analysis technique to model information related to design and construction. In a previous study, an approach to integrate design and construction processes based upon information analysis and modelling has been proposed. By breaking down the projects vast information into groups of related information, construction related problems have been identified and then traced back to their relevant design processes. This paper models this process using a relatively young and new method of analysis rather than a traditional structured approach. An Object-Oriented Analysis (OOA) method has been applied to model the information in terms of the fundamental ideas that underlie object-oriented technology i.e. object types and classes, methods, requests, encapsulation and inheritance. Proceeding through the five major activities of Coad and Yourdons OOA method, a complete OOA model has been developed with potential to improve the construction related problems.

Generic and specific IT training: a process protocol model for construction

This paper considers the generic processes involved in structuring an information technology (IT) training strategy to meet a construction organizations business strategy. It identifies and discusses how generic and specific IT training needs can be affected by the availability and priority of resources, type of organizational infrastructure, degree of management commitment, and prevailing level of culture. It goes on to discuss the principles of the capability maturity model (CMM), developed at Carnegie Mellon University, and the concepts of the process protocol (PP), developed by Salford University. It builds upon these approaches to analyse the key sequential stages and links needed to satisfy (or close) the ‘performance gap’ between the business strategy and the IT training strategy. An IT training model is presented the remit of which can help managers assess the impact of IT training on their organizations business strategy.

Forecasting building element maintenance within an integrated construction environment

Abstract Previous work has adopted various structured analysis techniques to model an application, which aims to generate the building element maintenance forecast valuation from the building design and project estimate, as an integral part of an integrated construction environment. The Automation and Integration in Construction (AIC) Research Group at the University of Salford has developed an integrated construction environment for the construction industry in the UK—the Simultaneous Prototyping for An integrated Construction Environment (SPACE). SPACE aims to incorporate various construction applications enabling project information to be shared between these applications and allowing the user to run them simultaneously. The purpose of this paper is to present the development of the MAINtenance ForeCASTing in an Integrated Construction Environment (MAINCAST) application of SPACE. The implementation of the resulting Express-G (static data) and IDEFO (process) models into SPACE and the development of the external remedy databases are described. Finally, through the aid of a case study project, the MAINCAST application prototype is presented.

A Framework for the Object Life Cycle in Integrated Environments

Problems related to the implementation of prod- uct models are different from those encountered during their theoretical development. They are related mainly to infor- mation management and the flow of information within the integrated environment. From the point of view of implemen- tation, this paper addresses the problems experienced with current models, concentrating on two main issues : object def- inition and the life cycle of objects. It also discusses briefly a proposed strategic framework for an integrated construc- tion environment within which a framework for the object life cycle is introduced. Four phases have been defined for the ob- ject life cycle. These are create and amend , supplement object with data, use object, and decommission object. This concept has been implemented in the integrated environment SPACE .