Meyer, H W G (1991) Conceptual model for integrating business activity and data systems in the AEC industry. PhD thesis, University of Wisconsin - Madison, USA.
Abstract
Fragmentation in the U. S. construction industry is perceived as a major contributor to reduced productivity. Lack of communication may be the main difficulty. Communication is affected by two levels of fragmentation: (1) primary and (2) secondary. Primary fragmentation occurs when business enterprises specialize in fewer business functions. This results in a larger number of participants in facility delivery projects and additional distribution of project data. Secondary fragmentation occurs when business enterprises redistribute tasks from human to machine processors. This changes the type of project participant, nature of activities that are performed, and subsequent needs for project data. Failure to recognize and accommodate these changes can result in "islands of automation" that are isolated from the main facility delivery process. Communication has been the traditional means to establish unity of purpose and promote cooperation among project participants. Hence, the research began with an investigation of communication concepts and the impact of automation technology on human communication. The research continued with an investigation of modeling techniques. An analysis of the project environment indicated that the significant components of the problem situation are the transformation activities of the facility delivery process, the transmission activities of the communication process, the project participants performing those activities, facility components, and data. A systems approach was an adequate method to combine these components in a system model. The result of this research is a conceptual framework for developing a shared-data resource. The method consists of decomposing business functions with the aid of an activity analysis framework. The identified activities are assembled in a model of the transformation process. Relationships between activities establish data paths between project participants. These data paths are analyzed to derive shared-data. The specification of shared-data, process descriptions, and data flow diagrams are precursors to the development of integrated data models. These models of shared-data can be implemented in various ways ranging from a shared physical database to standard data exchange protocols. This research contributes to the strategic planning that is necessary to integrate business activity and data systems in the AEC industry.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Russell, J S |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | automation; communication; failure; fragmentation; productivity; specification; strategic planning |
| Index terms: | specification, fragmentation, project data, data model, data system, cooperation, conceptual framework, data exchange, productivity, transformation, database, human communication, strategic planning, investigation, construction industry, modelling, automation |
| Subjects: | data science, data collection methods, business, computing systems, data management, industry analysis, management, data exchange, contractual condition, psychology, analytical methods, human factors and perception, theoretical framing, automation and robotics |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Business Strategy, Digital Applications, Contract Administration, Organizational Design, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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