Logcher, R D; Wang, M T and Chen, F H S (1989) Knowledge processing for construction management data base. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 115(2), pp. 196-211. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
The objectives of project control systems go beyond documentation to recognition of problems and evaluation of their causes. Through the use of broad information systems, a construction manager today is able to assemble a wide variety of data about his projects or programs. Retrieval, analysis, and interpretation of the meaning of these data, however, usually require the user to have detailed knowledge about the structure and content of the data base and the use of a data retrieval language, and have further programming skills to allow the computer to perform analyses. The work reported in this paper has three goals: to ease retrieval with near-natural language query capabilities; to acquire and accumulate data access and analysis knowledge; and to exercise such knowledge to find patterns in project data. This paper reports on the development of a knowledge-based query system, Expert-MCA, developed by coupling the techniques of data-base management systems, natural language processing, and knowledge-based expert systems for use in the U.S. Army military construction program (MCA). The system architecture is presented, followed by a description of how knowledge is represented and processed in answering English-like queries. Finally, examples are used to explain its capabilities in more detail.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | knowledge processing, coupling, meaning, data retrieval, information system, project control, programming, management system, documentation, project data, program, expert system, system architecture, construction manager, military construction, exercise |
| Subjects: | systems engineering, software systems, control systems, infrastructure and transport systems, knowledge management, sociology, health behaviours and lifestyles, design theory, data collection methods, management, information systems, programming, profession, professional development, data management |
| Topics: | Health and Safety, Roles and Professions, Information Management, Digital Applications, Research Practice, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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