Computational Technology Resources - CCP

Keywords: construction, content syndication, information technology, knowledge management, peer-to-peer networks, weblogs, wiki.

Summary

New web-based systems and services are evolving that can allow for the development of collaborative systems for use on construction projects. The new systems can be implemented at a low cost, making their use possible for construction companies of all sizes. The purpose of this paper is to review some of the available software tools and to suggest ways web-based systems and collaborative environments could be used for knowledge management on construction projects.

Knowledge Management is defined as the process through which organizations generate value from their intellectual and knowledge-based assets. Most often generating value from such assets involves sharing them among employees and departments in an effort to define best practices [1]. In construction, a major knowledge management issue is to provide the best advice and expertise in the field during construction. Often construction is slowed because field personnel may not know how to correct deficiencies occurring in construction processes. Web-based systems employed at the construction site have the potential to provide an archive of a firm's expert knowledge and to increase communications between construction personnel when problems arise in construction processes. Improved use of knowledge can potentially improve construction productivity and reduce delays by providing a more rapid response to problems that occur during a construction project.

Simple techniques like weblogs, wiki and peer-to-peer networking can be employed to enhance collaboration and knowledge management on construction projects. These techniques do not require knowledge of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) to implement. Potentially, these new collaborative tools can be used as archives of a construction firm's best field practices, and as a way for construction process experts to advise less experienced personnel at the construction site.

Weblogs are web sites that consist of pages of posts or distinct chunks of information per page, usually arranged in reverse chronology from the most recent post at the top of the page to the oldest post at the bottom [2]. A wiki is another type of software that allows for web pages to be constructed with little knowledge of HTML. A wiki allows a user to edit any page within the wiki website or to create new pages using only a web browser. New website pages are created by typing two capitalized words with no space between the words. The wiki software automatically creates an internal wiki link and sets up the new linked page [3]. Example weblogs and wikis for a hypothetical construction project are presented to illustrate the different ways these information technology tools can be employed on construction projects. The emerging ability of web posts to be aggregated by a newsreader is also discussed in the paper. This can allow a construction manager to easily monitor postings from multiple projects.

Systems employing peer-to-peer networking seem to have great potential for application for both knowledge and information management for construction projects. Peer-to-peer networking is a type of networking in which a group of computers communicate directly with each other, rather than through a central server. This may be attractive for small construction companies because they can set up a network without the need for a client/server system. An example of the file sharing capabilities of the Groove peer-to-peer networking software is illustrated in the paper.

It is concluded that the capability to use the web as a knowledge management tool now exists for even the smallest construction firm. Web-based applications will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated with new advances in information technology. The focus of future research must now be on how the practice and culture of construction companies must be modified to more fully embrace the potential of using these IT applications.

References

1: Barclay, R. and Murray, P., "What is Knowledge Management?". In Knowledge Praxis [online] Available at http://www.media-access.com/whatis.html, 1997 [Accessed 15 February 2004].
2: Bausch, P. Haughey, M. and Houlihan, M. "We Blog: Publishing Online with Weblogs", Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, 2002.
3: Leuf, B. and Cunningham, W. "The Wiki Way: Quick Collaboration on the Web", Addison-Wesley, Boston, MA, 2000.

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Front Page Browse CCP CSETS CTR IJRT Other Authors Search Purchase Guide FAQ Contact us	Civil-Comp Proceedings ISSN 1759-3433 CCP: 80 PROCEEDINGS OF THE FOURTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENGINEERING COMPUTATIONAL TECHNOLOGY Edited by: B.H.V. Topping and C.A. Mota Soares Paper 108 Collaborative Environments for Construction Knowledge Management T.P. Williams Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United Stes of America doi:10.4203/ccp.80.108 purchase the full-text of this paper Full Bibliographic Reference for this paper T.P. Williams, "Collaborative Environments for Construction Knowledge Management", in B.H.V. Topping, C.A. Mota Soares, (Editors), "Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Engineering Computational Technology", Civil-Comp Press, Stirlingshire, UK, Paper 108, 2004. doi:10.4203/ccp.80.108 Keywords: construction, content syndication, information technology, knowledge management, peer-to-peer networks, weblogs, wiki. Summary New web-based systems and services are evolving that can allow for the development of collaborative systems for use on construction projects. The new systems can be implemented at a low cost, making their use possible for construction companies of all sizes. The purpose of this paper is to review some of the available software tools and to suggest ways web-based systems and collaborative environments could be used for knowledge management on construction projects. Knowledge Management is defined as the process through which organizations generate value from their intellectual and knowledge-based assets. Most often generating value from such assets involves sharing them among employees and departments in an effort to define best practices [1]. In construction, a major knowledge management issue is to provide the best advice and expertise in the field during construction. Often construction is slowed because field personnel may not know how to correct deficiencies occurring in construction processes. Web-based systems employed at the construction site have the potential to provide an archive of a firm's expert knowledge and to increase communications between construction personnel when problems arise in construction processes. Improved use of knowledge can potentially improve construction productivity and reduce delays by providing a more rapid response to problems that occur during a construction project. Simple techniques like weblogs, wiki and peer-to-peer networking can be employed to enhance collaboration and knowledge management on construction projects. These techniques do not require knowledge of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) to implement. Potentially, these new collaborative tools can be used as archives of a construction firm's best field practices, and as a way for construction process experts to advise less experienced personnel at the construction site. Weblogs are web sites that consist of pages of posts or distinct chunks of information per page, usually arranged in reverse chronology from the most recent post at the top of the page to the oldest post at the bottom [2]. A wiki is another type of software that allows for web pages to be constructed with little knowledge of HTML. A wiki allows a user to edit any page within the wiki website or to create new pages using only a web browser. New website pages are created by typing two capitalized words with no space between the words. The wiki software automatically creates an internal wiki link and sets up the new linked page [3]. Example weblogs and wikis for a hypothetical construction project are presented to illustrate the different ways these information technology tools can be employed on construction projects. The emerging ability of web posts to be aggregated by a newsreader is also discussed in the paper. This can allow a construction manager to easily monitor postings from multiple projects. Systems employing peer-to-peer networking seem to have great potential for application for both knowledge and information management for construction projects. Peer-to-peer networking is a type of networking in which a group of computers communicate directly with each other, rather than through a central server. This may be attractive for small construction companies because they can set up a network without the need for a client/server system. An example of the file sharing capabilities of the Groove peer-to-peer networking software is illustrated in the paper. It is concluded that the capability to use the web as a knowledge management tool now exists for even the smallest construction firm. Web-based applications will continue to evolve and become more sophisticated with new advances in information technology. The focus of future research must now be on how the practice and culture of construction companies must be modified to more fully embrace the potential of using these IT applications. References 1 Barclay, R. and Murray, P., "What is Knowledge Management?". In Knowledge Praxis [online] Available at http://www.media-access.com/whatis.html, 1997 [Accessed 15 February 2004]. 2 Bausch, P. Haughey, M. and Houlihan, M. "We Blog: Publishing Online with Weblogs", Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, 2002. 3 Leuf, B. and Cunningham, W. "The Wiki Way: Quick Collaboration on the Web", Addison-Wesley, Boston, MA, 2000. purchase the full-text of this paper (price £20) go to the previous paper go to the next paper return to the table of contents return to the book description purchase this book (price £95 +P&P)
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