Zhou, W; Heesom, D; Georgakis, P and Tah, J H M (2014) User-centred design for collaborative 4D modelling. Construction Innovation, 14(4), pp. 493-517. ISSN 1471-4175
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to clarify the CSCW in collaborative 4D modelling and its user interface (UI)/interaction designs for prototyping. Four-dimensional (4D) modelling technology has potentials to integrate geographically dispersed planners to achieve collaborative construction planning. However, applying this technology in teamwork remains a challenge in computer-supported collaborative work (CSCW). Design/methodology/approach - The research adopted user-centred design (UCD) methodology to investigate a usable 4D collaboration prototype through analysis, design and usability testing. By applying CSCW theories, it first clarified the meaning of 4D CSCW to formulate design propositions as design target. By leveraging UCD theories, subsequently, the first-stage research sought an optimal standalone 4D modelling prototype following a parallel design approach. At the second stage, it further investigated into a collaborative 4D modelling prototype using an iterative design. It adopted collaborative task analysis into the UI/interaction design extension for a collaborative prototype based on results obtained from the first stage. The final usability testing was performed on the collaborative prototype to evaluate the designed CSCW and UI in a controlled geographically dispersed teamwork situation. Findings - The test results and user feedback verified their usability. It also disclosed design weaknesses in collaborators' awareness and smooth tasks' transitions for further enhancement. Originality/value - The combination of CSCW and UCD theories is practical for designing collaborative 4D modelling. It can also benefit designs for collaborative modelling in other dimensions like cost analysis, sustainable design, facility management, etc. in building information modelling.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | usability testing,BIM,construction,4D modelling |
| Index terms: | construction planning, dimension, testing, interaction, modelling, task analysis, planner, user-centred design, teamwork, building information modelling, collaborative modelling, collaboration, prototyping, methodology, 4D modelling, meaning, user interface, prototype, usability, sustainable design, cost analysis |
| Subjects: | design process, digital design, research methods, management, user-centred design, information systems, behavioral psychology, human-computer interaction, sociology, scope management, user-centered design, profession, computational design, health monitoring assessment and metrics, construction planning, analytical methods, financial and cost management, professional practice, innovation and technology management, modelling and simulation |
| Topics: | Project Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Cost Management, Health and Safety, Roles and Professions, Design Practice, Digital Applications, Site Management, Organizational Design |
| 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