FöRFATTARE
Blokpoel, Sjoerd

DATUM
2003-12-18

INSTITUTION
Väg- och vattenbyggnad / Konstruktionsteknik

SAMMANFATTNING
Product modelling systems offer possibilities to that match relatively good with the needs of the construction industry. The potential benefits of the model are diverse and can be grouped in project management, communication process, organisational process and product development. The needs of the industry come from the main shortcomings in the construction industry; a lack of a common project view of the different parties involved, an inappropriate allocation of risks, firm contracts and price focussed organisations. Important consequences of these shortcomings are opportunistic behaviour, strategic communication, errors due to old, wrong or irrelevant documents, a mismatch between the client’s requirements and the eventual product and time and budget exceeding projects. The application of modelling systems is not the ultimate solution because it does not focus on cooperation; solving the shortcomings of the construction sector is a relevant goal.

The potentials of the models are the facilitation of open communication, configuration management, reuse of information and virtual prototyping in 4D, allowing numerous analyses on e.g. life cycle, energy use and accurate estimates of project costs. This can lead to better decision making, more insight for the client, more efficiency and better (performance) quality in a project Promising opportunities for facility management with as-build product model data could be the right initiator for a building owner.

The modelling systems have prerequisites for application that are not fulfilled by the construction industry. Therefore, the potential benefits cannot be derived at the moment. Most unfulfilled prerequisites are related to the way of cooperation. New building process organisation types, like partnering, offer a better way to approach a project and a good basis to use the systems. The development of these organisation types should be integrated in the application of models because the systems could be a good tool, and maybe even an enabler.

Legal issues are no roadblock for application, but need attention. The current contracts are sufficient, but need an add-on for procedures in the use of ICT. A third party should keep an encrypted logfile to ensure tracebility of changes. Model errors in exchange files can occur and cause problems. Producers of data should be responsible for the produced data and check it on consistency. Middleware is needed to exchange only core model information and to allow company based ICT systems that connect through a shared modelling system.

The main strength of the application is configuration management and a database with information to improve communication. The main weakness is the lack of clear, measurable benefits and costs Key Performance Indexes (KPI’s). The main opportunities are current developments in partnering, which make the application of systems better possible. Main threats are the fragmentised view in the sector, both in phases, in a project and of projects by a company and the lack of good cooperation.

The first steps should be taken in an individual company; where internal benefit must be reached. ICT strategies and employee training should set a basis for changes. KPI’s are needed for business justification. In cooperation, especially the search for trust is important. Research on modeling systems should focus on following actual applications and supporting a stepwise introduction, developing a proper middleware with a definition of core models and solving practical legal issues. At all time, a company’s internal ICT benefit should be started with.

ISSN 1402-1528 / ISRN LTU-FR--03/17--SE / NR 2003:17