McCulloueh, B G and Gunn, P (1993) Construction field data acquisition with pen-based computers. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 119(2), pp. 374-384. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
This paper describes a research project sponsored by an industrial partner to design a system that automates the process of acquiring field construction data. A survey of field supervisors revealed that the two field functions that require the most paperwork time are employee timekeeping and material management functions. Timekeeping functions required anywhere from 10–15%, and material management functions required 26–37% of a field supervisor’s time, This system is desperately needed to solve the impending paper burden encountered on construction projects by field personnel, and should be utilized at the project level to provide significant time savings for field supervisory personnel. The automation device chosen for this project was a pen-based portable computer. Field applications were developed and demonstrated in the field at two job sites to determine user reaction and input. Results from these two demonstrations indicate that this type of hardware device possesses the potential and capability to automate construction field-data collection. These two applications are described in the paper along with a review of commercially available software and hardware.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | data acquisition, supervisor, automation, hardware, time saving, survey, personnel, construction project |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, practitioner, computer hardware, time analysis, management, production management, automation and robotics |
| Topics: | Time Control, Human Resources, Digital Applications, Roles and Professions, Project Management, Research Practice |
| 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