Gledson, B; Rogage, K; Luk, M; Tallet, E; Thompson, A; Landy, M and Wigget, D (2022) Addressing design management challenges through the development of a web-based platform. In: Tutesigensi, A and Neilson, C J (eds.) Proceedings of 38th Annual ARCOM Conference, 5-7 September 2022, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK.
Abstract
Construction Design Management (DM) involves the coordination of design process and activity to ensure quality project design, yet it involves many challenges. This work reports on a collaborative Knowledge Transfer Project (KTP) with a Case Study Organisation (CSO) that - in the spirit of the 'Building Back Wiser' ARCOM 38 call - innovatively tackles existing DM challenges. In doing so, selected DM processes were digitalised to improve efficiency, and productivity. Mixed research strategies were employed. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with purposively identified design managers uncovered real world concerns around design coordination, and designer performance monitoring. Then, through design science research (DSR), a web-based design management prototype platform was developed. This uses typical project data to aid design coordination activity and facilitate DM task prioritisation and reporting functionalities. Its visual reporting capability enables design production to be monitored; trends in designer performance to be assessed and focus to be retained on technical queries (TQs) and requests for information (RFIs). Construction productivity and effectiveness can therefore be enhanced if supported by appropriate digital platforms.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | design management; digital; information management; information technology; innovation. |
| Index terms: | knowledge transfer, effectiveness, qualitative analysis, design management, information technology, coordination, construction productivity, design process, project design, case study, platform, design science research, efficiency, design manager, interview, designer, productivity, prototype, project data, strategy, functionality, performance monitoring |
| Subjects: | management, design practice, monitoring and control systems, performance management, digital design, design process, data collection methods, research dissemination and communication, profession, research design and methodology, design methods, computing systems, operations management, modelling and simulation, design features, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Procurement, Governance, Business Strategy, Project Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Organizational Design, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Quality Management |
| 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