Process model perspectives on management and engineering procedures in the precast/prestressed concrete industry

The preparation of detailed models of information and process flow by 14 member companies of the North American Precast Concrete Software Consortium has provided a unique window into the current management, engineering design, and production operations in this industry. The modeling was performed using the authors' Georgia Tech Process for Product Modeling tool, within the framework of the consortium's effort to develop a precast concrete product model and to specify new integrated three dimensional modeling software. The paper opens with a comparative economic review of precast construction internationally and in North America, which reveals that the market share of precast construction in North American is relatively low. The models are analyzed and aspects of the underlying management procedures that they reveal are discussed, such as types of contracting arrangements, cost estimating, design outsourcing, engineering design communication, mold design, product diversity, and quality control. The results highlight aspects of precast management processes that may be re-engineered through appropriate application of information technology.