Construction Information Management: Benefits to the Construction Industry

Project information management in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) projects can be a challenging endeavor due to the complex nature of projects and the numerous sources and types of information required, including drawings, plans, specifications, and building information modeling (BIM), among others. AEC projects require stakeholders to develop temporary teams, develop work processes, and collaborate across organizational boundaries. Additionally, the numerous technologies used in information management, such as project management software, scheduling software, and BIM, require contractual agreements among project stakeholders to address these technologies’ potential risks while still allowing stakeholder collaboration to benefit project execution and delivery. Contracts are used to define project requirements and can be used to define different aspects of project information management, like required deliverables or stakeholder roles and responsibilities. While recent research has evaluated the relationship between BIM and contracts, there is a gap in understanding the relationship between contracts and information management more holistically. The objectives of this research were to gain insight into how contracts impact information management, identify barriers that exist in contracts related to information management, and to develop potential contract-related strategies to improve information management on AEC projects. Researchers implemented a qualitative analysis approach through semistructured interviews with 38 AEC professionals and the application of a systematic and iterative qualitative coding process. This research found that contracts can be used as a tool to influence the development and execution of project information management strategies. Specifically, contracts can be used to define deliverables, workflows, and software, as well as templates and forms. While interviewees discussed many contract-related challenges, they also proposed potential contract-related strategies to improve project information management. These strategies encompass three main categories: improving contract compliance, contract flexibility, and setting expectations. These findings provide insight into how contracts can impact project information management and provide practitioners with specific contract strategies to improve project information management.

Construction management (CM) consultant has an important role in construction project. It involves in many activities during the construction processes such as designing, tendering, consulting and managing the construction. Based on that sequence, it can be seen that CM consultant’s role starts from the beginning of the construction. Despite its important role, the service quality of CM consultant in Indonesia can still be improved. In addition, previous studies show lack of research in exploring service quality in context of CM consultant in construction projects. Therefore, the objectives of this research are to evaluate the importance level of CM consultant’s service quality items; to analyze factors of CM consultant’s service quality; and to describe the importance of CM consultant’s service quality based on owners’ perception in Indonesian building construction projects. This research is classified as quantitative and qualitative research approach. The quantitative research approach aims to evaluate the importance level of service quality items and explore factors that influence CM consultant’s service quality. The qualitative research approach aims to explain the importance of each service quality item based on owner’s perception. The survey questionnaire and interview techniques were used to gather data from project owners. There were 71 respondents who participated in this research. The collected data was analyzed by conducting relative importance index and factor analysis. The result shows the importance level of each CM consultant’s service quality item. Based on the relative importance index, the most important item is “The CM consultant is able to anticipate the problem before it happens in the project". The next most important item is “The CM consultant does a job according to the SOP that has already been agreed". In addition, the results show 10 factors influencing consultant’s service quality in Indonesian building construction projects. The examples of factors are “Understanding & providing individualized attention for the owner"; “Service oriented characteristic of the staff"; “Awareness of the project’s status and information"; etc. The findings can help CM consultant understand the service quality factors that should be provided.

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PurposeThe paper aims to analyze the application areas of augmented reality (AR) in the construction industry to enhance its usage level. The objectives are to assess the level of awareness of hardware and software devices of AR, examine the application areas of AR and reveal lagging areas in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachA survey of construction professionals engaged in the built environment was sent a well-structured questionnaire in the study area. The professionals involved are project managers, architects, engineers, builders and quantity surveyors. The sampling technique used in selecting those professionals was convenience sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing the retrieved data.FindingsThe five most applied areas of Augmented Realities are Visualization and simulation of construction works; Project documentation; Project planning, monitoring and modification. The other two areas include on-site real-time information retrieval and health and safety measures. The findings also revealed the difference in the opinions of professionals among the variables. The results showed that there is significant difference in the opinions of the professionals regarding the application areas except one, that is automated measurement. Automated measurement has the same converging opinions of all professionals engaged in the study.Originality/valueThe study gives deep insight into possible areas where AR can be used in construction. The awareness level of hardware and software devices of AR was revealed by showing that those devices are upcoming in their usage. The areas of application of AR in construction are in their nascent stage. When there is proper implementation of this technology it will improve management in construction, minimize health and safety issues, and enhance the efficiency of workers through visualization and simulation.

Small emerging contracting companies could possibly be flooding the construction industry, putting strain on the construction economy to stay afloat, support and sustain these participants. It is important for any organisation that deals with other individuals and organisations to understand the correct ethical codes of conduct in a business environment. To minimise unethical behaviour in the industry, new contractors need to both understand and apply the principles of ethical conduct in their business environments. This research is aimed at investigating whether ethical conduct among new entry-level emerging contractors can contribute to, and ensure their sustainable competitiveness in the South African construction industry. This research is also aimed at determining whether education and knowledge of entrepreneurship, business, project and construction management, in addition to building contracts, can contribute to new entry-level emerging contractors’ ethical conduct and sustainable competitiveness. The literature reviewed and the results of quantitative research among professional consultants in South Africa formed the basis of the study. Ethics is a sensitive topic within the construction industry; therefore, it is difficult to gather the data directly from contractors, as they are reluctant to participate for fear of revealing their identities and having this negatively influence their personal and business credentials. Unbiased respondents, who were not directly linked to emerging contractors and who were not afraid to give their objective opinions, were questioned and included architects, quantity surveyors, consulting engineers, project managers, construction mentors, and construction managers. The study revealed that ethics is an important factor in any business environment and that the correct application thereof can partially contribute to the sustainable competitiveness of new entry-level emerging contractors. This, in turn, should promote the long-term survival of a business. Furthermore, the knowledge of good management practices and building contracts can contribute to a successfully run business. However, the average new entry-level emerging contractor has insufficient experience and knowledge of the management of construction projects and of building contracts. The study should be valuable to construction-industry professionals, contractors and clients, as it provides them with research information on a problem area in the industry.

The participation of built environment (BE) professionals is essential in pushing the agenda of green buildings (GBs) in the construction industry. Considering willingness to pay (WTP) in light of these professionals plays a role in the management of the construction industry as one of the major energy consumers and emitters of greenhouse gases. This study, from an extended perspective of green building, seeks to examine the factors that influence Built Environment (BE) Professionals’ willingness to pay for green buildings in Ghana. A questionnaire survey was used to solicit the views of the professionals on the theme under investigation. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to obtain 153 responses from BE professionals such as architects, quantity surveyors, construction managers, and project managers in Kumasi and Accra. Both descriptive (mean, standard deviation, and standard error) and inferential statistics (one-sample t-test) were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that perceived benefit stood out as the topmost factor that BE professionals consider in their willingness to pay for green buildings. This paper could serve as an eye-opener to aid in the development of strategies and influencing mechanisms to stimulate the interest of various groups of BE professionals in delivering a more environmentally friendly construction system. This study contributes to the state-of-the-art studies regarding willingness to pay for GBs. The global literature is largely focused on the willingness of household consumers/clients to pay for GBs to the detriment of the BE professionals, who play key role in GB developments, and encourage their adoption. The novelty of this study stems from the fact that it is the first time the views of BE professionals are examined when it comes to their willingness to pay for green buildings.

As a high-stress working environment, the construction industry affects the health and well-being of people who work in it. Knowing what factors contribute to or ameliorate workplace stress, and their interrelationships, are important. Data from 350 cases that reflect self-perceived stress experiences were collected via an online questionnaire survey of architects, civil engineers, quantity surveyors, and project and construction managers in South Africa. These data were used to conduct logistic regression modeling to explore the relationship between perceived stress at work, workplace demands, job control, and workplace support. The strength of the relationship of 13 factors with perceived stress was modeled. Although all the cataloged factors contribute to a predictive likelihood of high workplace stress, the strongest predictive factor is the perceived presence of work-life imbalance. The perceived need to work long hours is overwhelmingly mediated through imbalance experienced between work and life/family commitments. A perceived need to prove oneself at work also strongly mediates this relationship, whereas the extent of support received from colleagues in difficult situations may serve as a strong moderator. An amended model of occupational stress is proposed that distinguishes between mediating and moderating factors, providing possible target areas for organizations wishing to address employee stress issues. The contribution of this work lies in its examination of the work stress experienced by construction professionals in a developing country that is characterized by economic hardship and social problems.

Research on the effect of information management on organizational performance is an important issue. The primary problem of the business value of information is embedded in the following reasoning: information management creates business value indirectly but creates business costs directly, making the evaluation and measurement of information management and the benefits thereof difficult for organizations. In this study an empirical survey was conducted in ten large South African organizations to establish practices and norms in managing the business value of information management, information management investment and benefits evaluation. The most common criteria considered to be important were the ability to adapt and support business changes and the stability and quality of information management services to the user community.

The role of the quantity surveyor is one that is often unclear amongst the general public. This study discusses the role and skills of the quantity surveyor in carrying out the financial management of building construction projects. The study outlines the roles of various categories of chartered surveyor and focuses on the duties of the quantity surveyor working in a consultancy role for building clients, and working in a commercial capacity for building contractors. The study examines recent developments in the profession, which have led to the quantity surveyor delivering a number of management related consultancy services, in response to rising client expectations and demands. The study also outlines the various competencies and skills required of chartered quantity surveyors in discharging their professional duties. The study is intended as an aid to Irish students undertaking undergraduate and conversion masters courses in quantity surveying and construction management related disciplines. Daddy What’s a Quanny Surveyor? There is an amusing and informative clip on YouTube entitled The Quantity Surveyor Handbook (BCAsingapore 2013). It features young people from Singapore, who carry out a street survey in which they ask passers-by what they thought quantity surveyors do. What emerges is that young people have very little idea about what quantity surveying actually involves. Replies included that quantity surveyors conduct interviews or surveys, or investigate ground conditions; the old ‘chestnut’ that the QS counts bricks was not

This study examined emotional intelligence as an instrument for enhancing the performance of project managers in the construction industry in Ibadan Metropolis. This was a view to determine the effect of the emotional intelligence (EI) of project managers on project management, as well as the relationship between project managers’ emotional intelligence and delivery of projects. The study employed survey research method to collect information from project managers, who are Quantity Surveyor, Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, and Architects. Seventy five project managers were randomly selected from building and construction industry in the study areas. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents. The data collected were analysed using SPSS Version 16. Descriptive and inferential statistic consisting mean, mode, percentage, frequency, and Chi-Square test were used respectively. The results showed that emotional intelligence is important to the field of project management with an overall mean value of 4.46 on a Likert Scale of 5. Chi-Square test showed a significantly positive relationship between the emotional intelligence level of the project managers and their performance on the job. A positive significance occurs in information handling in all the four domain of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management, unlike other variables such as managing project environment and resources, organising and coordination providing for growth and development and motivation and conflict handling that show both positive and negative significances. The paper concluded that emotional intelligence is a significant phenomenon in the field of project management, because it enhances the performance of project managers.

PurposeThe advent of web services and the semantic web have opened up opportunities for a new generation of interoperable systems on the web. The purpose of this paper is to show the importance of semantics in design and construction, and how this has long been recognised and addressed to varying extents by researchers.Design/methodology/approachThere is now the potential for designs to be developed through a system of collaborating design services and for input by the construction team members. The potential also extends to the construction phase where the designers can provide more timely responses to problems encountered in the field. Within this environment, there is the need for effective mechanisms for design and construction information management, in addition to an ontology that facilitates the sharing of design and construction information and the underlying semantics. This paper explores these trends in collaborative design and construction, and presents an ontology‐based approach to project information management in a semantic web environment.FindingsThe findings include a framework for semantic web‐based information management (SWIMS), which provides for effective collaborative information management. Examples, based on design and construction information, are presented to illustrate the key concepts.Originality/valueThis paper presents an innovative approach to overcoming the limitations of conventional information management approaches in construction. The proposed approach is expected to enhance collaboration, and avoid information loss, overload and misunderstanding,

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the value of internships for professional careers in the built environment (BE) sector from the perspective of industry practitioners. It examines the perceptions of practitioners about internship and explores the relevance of internships for professional careers in the sector.Design/methodology/approachThe research methods used were questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews and focus group discussion. The study focussed on careers such as architects, civil engineers, facility managers, project managers and quantity surveyors.FindingsIt was found that quantity surveyors and civil engineers value internship the most and are more likely to hire those who interned with them. Project managers also value internships but to a lesser extent. Facility managers and architects value internship the least and are also least likely to offer positions to their ex-interns. It is not conclusive whether internships are absolutely necessary to increase undergraduates’ employability upon their graduation.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to only five professions and focused on the perceptions of professionals and not the interns or academic supervisors.Practical implicationsRecommendations are made to improve internship programmes in the BE sector. These include making internships compulsory for students who intend to pursue civil engineering and quantity surveying careers and extending the duration of internships to six months.Originality/valueThe views of professionals in the BE sector are uncovered. Tertiary institutions can use the findings to improve their internship programmes and their students’ employability upon graduation.

The construction industry has a dynamic and complex environment. The successful completion of a construction project depends on various factors. Accordingly, construction delay is observed to happen in construction projects. It is highly affecting the construction sector and the economy of the country too. Although previous research studies identified the causes, effects, and mitigation methods separately, this study adopts a linked approach and directs to identify the effective applicable mitigation methods and their practices on each significant cause of delay in construction projects. Moreover, contractors are noted as one of the main sources of construction delay from the previous studies. Hence, this research aims to develop a framework to determine the applicable mitigation strategies and the practices of each mitigation strategy for each significant cause of contractor’s delays in construction projects in Sri Lanka. A mixed research approach was adopted to generate the research process. A literature review was conducted on construction delays, organizational and project management factors, and professional competency, mitigation strategies in delay management. The significant causes of delays and effective mitigation strategies were ranked through a questionnaire survey using a Likert scale. Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors in the Sri Lankan construction industry were selected in the ratio of 1:3 respectively for the interview as they are mostly engaged with delay management. Also, the respondents were limited to 68 and the collected data were analysed through the Relative Important Index (RII) method, to rank the significant causes and mitigation strategies. Then techniques and possible mitigation strategies were found through interviews and content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings indicated that most of the contractor’s delays can be mitigated through applying proper mitigation strategies as effective management approaches in the construction projects such as effective project planning and schedules of construction works, maintain positive financial stability and well qualified and experienced professionals and staff, effective strategic planning, risk analysis, and management, selection of suitable sub-contractor and management and effective site management and supervision. In addition to that, inaccurate planning and scheduling of the project, financial dishonesty, poor procurement of construction materials, ineffective time management of contractors, and incompetence of management professionals and staffs were identified as the most significant contractor’s causes of delays in construction management.
 Keywords: Delays, Significant Causes, Mitigation, Construction Management, Construction Projects.

PurposeStandards are written by practitioners for practitioners. It is therefore logical that project managers should comply with project management standards. Benefits management is a domain within programme management. The focus of benefits management is to deliver benefits of initiatives beyond the closure of a normal programme or project. This is not the case with projects within the information systems (IS) discipline, implying that IS programme and project managers are not adhering to standards. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether the best practices associated with benefits management are applied to IS initiatives in order to maximise the benefits of these initiatives.Design/methodology/approachSenior and middle managers in South African organisations were interviewed to determine how benefits are managed within their various projects. The purpose of the interviews was to determine adherence to standards and especially benefits management and, second, to determine whether these organisations are achieving any benefits and ultimately value.FindingsThere is an overwhelming non-adherence to benefits management best practices within the IS discipline, and IS programme and project managers do not have the slightest idea how to perform benefits management. Irrespective of this, organisations do believe that they are receiving benefits and value from these IS projects.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was only done in South Africa with the specific focus of IS. The results are thus very specific and opens the door for more comprehensive research that focusses on various industries, countries and standards.Practical implicationsThe results have several implications ranging from how standards are written to the professionalism of IS programmes and project managers. Organisations are not achieving the optimal benefits from investments. The fact that organisations do realise benefits from a broken process, implies that more benefits can be realised when the entire benefits realisation process is followed. Governance controls should also be put in place to ensure that programme and project managers are adhering to standards.Originality/valueStandards are dominating the project management discipline and there is a general assumption that programme and project managers are adhering these standards. This research queries the value of standards as the results indicate that there is limited adherence to standards and best practices.

Moreover, there is an increasing amount of literature covering specific geotechnical risk analysis and management topics. Examples of these are the difference between unsafe geotechnical certainty and safe geotechnical uncertainty (Barends, 2005), the role of the human factor in achieving geotechnical reliability (Bea, 2006), objective and subjective ways of geotechnical risk classification (Altabba et al., 2004), and contractual allocation of geotechnical risk (Essex, 2007).