Edward Back, W and Bell, L C (1995) Quantifying process benefits of electronic data management technologies. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 121(4), pp. 415-421. ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Establishing and maintaining a strategic advantage in a globally competitive business environment requires focus on electronic data management (EDM) technologies that facilitate work-flow automation and process reengineering. Effective implementation of EDM technologies requires a strategic, innovative, and cooperative approach to electronic document management. To date, a methodology for quantitative analysis of time and cost benefits attributable to EDM technologies has been difficult to structure due to the complexity of predicting the organizational changes resulting from their implementation. Additionally, implementation of EDM technologies will impact individual work task durations, work-flow precedence, and resource (labor) requirements. This is particularly true when multiple technologies are considered for concurrent implementation. This research developed a methodology for quantifying the time and cost benefits attributable to implementation of EDM technologies when applied to the major functional process of materials management. Data provided by leading engineering/construction companies were incorporated into four process models, each representing a distinct level of corporate information integration. The research shows that time and cost process benefits attributable to EDM technologies are significant.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Index terms: | complexity, materials management, quantitative analysis, methodology, construction company, organizational change, competitive busines, duration, implementation, automation, electronic data management, information integration |
| Subjects: | business management, data analysis and analytics, contractual arrangements, operations management, business, organization, information systems, systems engineering, data management, project controls, automation and robotics, research methods |
| Topics: | Time Control, Organizational Design, Site Management, Digital Applications, Procurement, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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