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Christian, J (2002) An overview of systems utilizing information and communication technologies: five research case studies. In: Greenwood, D (Ed.), Proceedings 18th Annual ARCOM Conference, 2-4 September 2002, Northumbria, UK. Association of Researchers in Construction Management, Vol. 2, 485–92.

  • Type: Conference Proceedings
  • Keywords: construction performance; information and communication technologies; expert systems; hypertext
  • ISBN/ISSN: 0 9534161 7 8
  • URL: http://www.arcom.ac.uk/-docs/proceedings/ar2002-485-492_Christian.pdf
  • Abstract:
    Systems utilizing information and communication technologies have been created and developed in the Construction Engineering and Management Group at the University of New Brunswick.The aim of this research work was to introduce and integrate software and other tools such as hypertext, spreadsheets, database software, expert systems, shell programs, and artificial intelligence into an industry which is fundamentally conservative and historically slow to change and adopt innovative tools. The research included but was not limited to the development of a hypertext system for the processing of construction claims, an integrated decision support expert system for earthmoving selection and estimating, the use of Visual Basic ® to customize certain Microsoft applications to determine the effects of change orders on construction performance, the use of a hypertext information system and a simple spreadsheet to assess significant risk factors and to evaluate project uncertainties so that their effect could be shown on the project schedule, and a software application for the information management of a quality management system in a mega highway project. The results of the research and development activities showed that the construction industry will keenly adopt innovative technologies but only under the right conditions. The development of emerging information and communication technologies can provide a means of improving or replacing traditional methods by utilizing computer software and the experience, knowledge and judgement of many experienced practitioners.