Zhou, S; Ng, S T; Lee, S H; Xu, F J and Yang, Y (2020) A domain knowledge incorporated text mining approach for capturing user needs on BIM applications. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 27(2), pp. 458-482. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: In the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry, technology developers have difficulties in fully understanding user needs due to the high domain knowledge threshold and the lack of effective and efficient methods to minimise information asymmetry between technology developers and AEC users. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach: A synthetic approach combining domain knowledge and text mining techniques is proposed to help capture user needs, which is demonstrated using building information modelling (BIM) apps as a case. The synthetic approach includes the: collection and cleansing of BIM apps' attribute data and users' comments; incorporation of domain knowledge into the collected comments; performance of a sentiment analysis to distinguish positive and negative comments; exploration of the relationships between user sentiments and BIM apps' attributes to unveil user preferences; and establishment of a topic model to identify problems frequently raised by users. Findings: The results show that those BIM app categories with high user interest but low sentiments or supplies, such as “reality capture”, “interoperability” and “structural simulation and analysis”, should deserve greater efforts and attention from developers. BIM apps with continual updates and of small size are more preferred by users. Problems related to the “support for new Revit”, “import & export” and “external linkage” are most frequently complained by users. Originality/value: The main contributions of this work include: the innovative application of text mining techniques to identify user needs to drive BIM apps development; and the development of a synthetic approach to orchestrating domain knowledge, text mining techniques (i.e. sentiment analysis and topic modelling) and statistical methods in order to help extract user needs for promoting the success of emerging technologies in the AEC industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | building information modelling; information and communication technology applications; technology; text mining; user needs |
| Index terms: | building information modelling, import, linkage, user preference, emerging technology, export, mining, structural simulation, statistical method, modelling, interoperability, information and communication technology, information asymmetry, methodology, exploration, user need |
| Subjects: | research methods, geotechnical engineering, statistical analysis, systems and processes, information systems, user-centered design, transaction economics, client relations, digital engineering, business, computing systems, environmental resource management, economic analysis, analytical methods, innovation and technology management |
| Topics: | Design Practice, Digital Applications, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Sustainability, Stakeholder Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here