Al-Otaibi, N T N H (1995) A knowledge-based systems approach to materials management for large construction projects. PhD thesis, University of Toronto, Canada.
Abstract
Project materials management is an important and complex aspect of project planning and control that has not generally received the attention it deserves in theory or in practice. Previous studies have identified main symptoms and causes of inadequate construction materials management and illustrated the attendant need for significant improvements. Analysis of the reasons underlying documented overall symptoms and high-level causes reveals that the technical causes centre around shortcomings in the knowledge of the domain. Available knowledge consists largely of fragmented experiences lacking explicitness and detail. This research explores the knowledge-based systems approach with a view to improving management of materials. It seeks to assess, summarize, and organize accepted practices in managing materials of large projects in light of this new approach. Public and private sources of knowledge are analyzed and compared to identify not only essential ingredients of project materials management, but also the most useful generalizations about the process, and to develop a model of the process for uniting its elements. The specific purpose of the model has to do with organizing domain knowledge for representation and application by the computer. These steps are carried out at two main levels of detail. First, they are performed for the overall process at a somewhat conceptual level. At the detailed level, the most important function of project materials management, i.e. , materials requirements planning and control, is isolated in the developed conceptual knowledge-based model of the process. The steps are then repeated for building a demonstration prototype knowledge-based system for this function. The research indicates that knowledge-based systems techniques are appropriate and sufficiently powerful to make needed and valuable contribution towards the development of an integrated decision making system for managing materials of large construction projects.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Selby, K A |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction project; decision making; materials management; project planning; knowledge-based system |
| Index terms: | project planning, prototype, large construction project, construction project, knowledge-based system, construction material, materials management, decision-making |
| Subjects: | decision analysis, organizational theory, artificial intelligence, operations management, production management, control systems, modelling and simulation, building materials |
| Topics: | Site Management, Project Management, Engineering Principles, Digital Applications, Risk Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PC |
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