| In construction process modelling research the construction activities
have typically been described as activities, material and information flows
between the activities, actors performing the activities etc. A number
of such construction process (or activity) models have been defined using
formalised modelling methods such as IDEF0 [Sanvido et al. 1990, Karhu
et al. 1997]. The limited scope (based on national or company specific
practises) of most of the published models and the border conditions imposed
by the modelling methodology used, restricts the applicability of these
models as generic reference models, and consequently their application
into practice in contexts other than the one in which they were originally
developed. On the other hand, the multi-disciplinary nature of construction
projects, the increasing complexity of project organisation, as well as
the technology push from concurrent engineering and information technology
developments, call for new approaches for construction process planning
and management. The challenge for the development of new approaches is
to provide models and (computer) tools to support model-based construction
process planning and management where the process components, their relationships
and constraints can be modelled and validated as a virtual construction
project before its realisation. It is a bit of a paradox that the industry
today uses quite sophisticated IT-tools for the design and analysis of
its products (CAD-systems, structural analysis) whereas the tools for analysis
and planning of its fundamental working procedures are often on the level
of flapboards and word processors.
Computer integrated construction (CIC) is vision shared by many researchers
and practitioners for the development of the construction industry. This
vision focuses, in addition to computer support for individual information
management tasks, on using IT technologies for information exchange and
sharing within construction projects (i.e. product modelling, Internet).
Data modelling has, since the mid 1980s, been regarded as a main technology
to achieve computer integrated construction (CIC). Research has been done
for combining product data models with process models, for instance a product
data model of a precast concrete facade [Karhu 1997]. Most research and
standardisation efforts (i.e., STEP and IAI) have been directed towards
the development of product data models, which should facilitate the exchange
and sharing of information. A process centred view, which would study the
information flow and other organisational attributes, has so far not received
proper attention. Particularly recently, when many new communication and
collaboration technologies have been developed, we miss a clear understanding
of the construction process, in particular in terms of how IT is used and
could be used to support the overall life-cycle process, from inception
to demolition. Models, tools and case studies, are needed for the appraisal
of costs and benefits of IT in construction. |
