Ewin, N A; Oxley, R and Poole, F (1990) Advanced applications software for speculative housing companies. Construction Management and Economics, 8(2), pp. 109-133. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
The diversity and complexity of individual building companies has meant that many prospective users have been unable to find applications systems packages which precisely meet their needs. The high cost, and long lead times associated with traditionally produced bespoke software has previously made such systems impractical for many builders. Some builders who have commissioned bespoke software have had unsatisfactory results, where systems have been unreliable, or do not fully meet the purpose for which they were intended. This paper describes a prototype advanced software development system which was constructed and then applied to produce an integrated estimating and cost control system for speculative housing companies. Spec-Builder was developed over a relatively short time period, thus at lower cost. As much of the software was generated from proven DB4GL procedures, the resulting system was also reliable. The development techniques allow early appraisal of the system which can then be amended easily to fulfil the user's precise requirements. The system could be used for producing other applications packages.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | advanced software; construction industry; housing companies; systems analysis |
| Index terms: | construction industry, lead time, package, complexity, housing, estimating, appraisal, cost control, builder, prototype, software development, systems analysis |
| Subjects: | factor and component analysis, software systems, project controls, industry analysis, systems engineering, construction type, practitioner, modelling and simulation, contractual arrangements, analytical methods, financial and cost management |
| Topics: | Cost Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Roles and Professions, Construction Technology, Procurement, Time Control |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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