Preface:
As part of our effort to increase student engagement within the CanBIM community we have begun reaching out to students who have research projects or reports to share.
This month we worked with Adam Parsons, who has shared with us a portion of research from his undergraduate thesis, entitled:
“Testing the usability/suitability of integrated smart (information and communication technology) ICT devices and software during project closeout”.
Adam has provided his interview questions and a summary of his core findings from multiple members of the construction industry.
About Adam:
Adam Parsons is a Student at George Brown College who is nearing completion of his Bachelor Degree in Construction Management. Adam has been working in construction since he was 16 years old, and has since gained experience as a project coordinator with companies like Aecon and EllisDon. As a component of Adam’s undergraduate thesis he released a survey to industry professionals to gain insight to the current and potential future use of digital tablets in construction.
Project Scope:
In any industry, people are looking for ways to save time and money. This is especially prevalent within the construction industry as the construction schedules become tighter while companies try to make a profit. New technology has often been a way to speed up processes to save time and money. This topic is on the usability of integrated smart devices and software. The aim is the see if smartphones, tablets and construction management software can create more efficient systems than the traditional methods.
Tablet/Smartphone with App software (TSA)
1) Have you used a tablet/smartphone combination during a project closeout phase? What benefits could arise from the integration of a TSA?
Today most construction companies have upgraded from a traditional cell phone to a smartphone as it is capable of much more than just texting and calling. Larger general contracting corporations have begun implementing tablets on site as well. The major benefits of utilizing both the smartphone and tablet on a project include:
Improve efficiency of traditional proceduresFaster access to information on siteMore portable than paper drawingsMove towards paperless systems and reduce environmental impactMarketing tool to attract new employeesLearning tool to teach employees various courses/proceduresUse camera featuresCan be used to take notes in the field and meetingsSmartphone can provide internet to a tabletOverall à leads to time and cost savings
2) What factors do you think will limit the usability of a TSA in the construction industry? What will promote it?
The main factor preventing companies from integrating these devices is the initial cost. The devices are relatively new and currently have a premium cost associated with them. When reviewing devices for technical specifications, it would be more beneficial to have a tablet and smartphone with a higher capacity to be able to store all of the project documents. This again would greatly increase the initial cost as the larger capacity models have an even higher price tag. Other factors that may prevent the use of tablets and smartphones include:
Developing courses and teaching employees how to use devicesChanging traditional procedures to incorporate the use of the devicesProject limitations where technological devices are not permitted for security reasonsInternet connectivity to ensure updates occur automatically
3) From you expertise do you think these devices will be beneficial to a general contractor? Or is there more development required prior to integrating it into a company?
These devices will be highly beneficial to general contractors as they can increase productivity of employees by creating more efficient procedures and systems. There is always room for development and improvement. This technology will become a standard across the industry and people will look to find ways to further the efficiency of the devices.
4) In what ways would you like to see the devices and applications be used to create a more efficient process than the traditional methods currently being conducted?
The devices would serve to replace traditional methods and have a digitized process. When the devices are paired with construction management software they can transform the way information is organized, tracked and dispersed. Traditionally consultants would create paper lists of deficiencies. The general contractor would manage the deficiencies by delegating it to the corresponding sub-contractor to rectify the deficiency. With the implementation of tablets and construction management software this process can be much more efficient.
The general contractor can send an employee on the site with the consultant’s list of deficiencies on a tablet. The employee then can take a picture of the issue, highlight specific drawings as to the location and provide a description. Then the issue can be assigned to all parties involved. This can all be done while standing in front of the deficiency itself. There is no need to go back and forth between the site trailer to verify information, or draft a list. All of this will be catalogued into the construction management software and tracked by the general contractor. This can ensure all parties involved receive all of the required information.
The devices and software greatly increases the reactive time required to generate a plan to deal with the deficiency. Ultimately the devices and software will provide faster, more accurate control over data to tackle problems as soon as they arise.
5) There are multiple tablets/smart phones on the market today. What would your major factors be in selecting the preferred device?
The cost has the most significant impact on whether or not a company decides to invest in these devices. Companies would often conduct some form of feasibility study to ensure it would be worthwhile to purchase the devices. The devices would have a onetime fee as an initial investment and could be used for numerous years, especially when protected with cases. Eventually the devices would need to be replaced to keep up with the evolving technology. This is relatively new technology and just beginning to be implemented within the construction industry, it would be a while until the devices would need to be replaced.
A major consideration when selecting devices are the usability and compatibility. Companies want to ensure the devices will be able to work with the current systems used by the company. The devices should be relatively easy to learn how to use them and simple to use. Tablets have a range of sizes and the company would select the size they think would best suit their needs. A mid to full size would provide the best screen size to review project documents. That being said the increase in size decreases the portability of the devices to an extent. Tablets are still much smaller than a laptop and have more features then just a pen and paper.
6) What would your major factors be in selecting a specific construction management software? If your company has selected software, do you know why it was chosen over other software?
Selecting construction management software has some different characteristics than selecting a device. The software has a licensing fee associated with it and can be much more costly. This fee can be dependent on the duration of use, number of devices used and features available. This is all dependent on the contract determined between the software supplier and company purchasing it.
The software must be compatible with the company’s current systems. It should be simple to integrate and use on a daily basis. There will be a learning component when changing daily procedures, but it should also be simple so that all employees will be able to use it.
The software company should also be reviewed to ensure their longevity and stability within the market. You want to know the company will be there to assist with implementation, issues or ways to improve how it’s used, to be able to achieve the most out of the software. The vendor should also care and have a genuine interest in your satisfaction when using the software.
7) Currently these devices and applications are mainly used in the project closeout phase. Do you think there are other areas where this could create a more efficient process?
In review of using the devices by general contractors, it was found that the devices can be used throughout all phases of construction. This extended to all parties in all phases of construction. The devices are highly versatile and each party can utilize them to suit their specific needs. The research was conducted for construction companies within the Industrial, Commercial, Institutional (ICI) industries. The devices could be extended for residential uses as well, on a smaller scale.
The construction management software could be used for all preconstruction, construction and post-construction phases. In the preconstruction phase it could be using for planning and creating systems for the flow of communication. During construction it would be utilized for the control of information and communication. In post-construction the operators/facility managers could use the software for scheduled and emergency maintenance requirements. These are just a few examples of how the devices and software could be used across the different phases.
8) The construction industry tends to be slow to accepting new ideas and changes. Do you think the use of these devices will catch on quickly, slowly or not at all, and why?
Smartphones have become a common device used by companies in most industries. The construction industry is rapidly accepting the use of tablets for all areas of construction. The price does seem to play a role, but there has been general widespread acceptance throughout the industry. Larger corporations have the capital for investment of numerous devices. In comparison to smaller companies, they tend to have smaller jobs and require fewer devices and therefore the high capital required is limited to only a few devices.
Companies often start with the devices to test their investment was a profitable one. Once reassured of the impact they then move towards selecting construction management software. This is also becoming a common tool for construction companies. Larger corporations have been known to work with software development vendors to create construction management software. This enables the company to have their input on customizable features catered to their systems and procedures.
9) Do you think these devices and applications would be useful for all type of projects, in terms of size, complexity, scope, timeline and procurement methods?
This is a similar response to the previous question. Yes can be used by all parties throughout the construction industry in all phases. There may be some phases where it is used more so than others, but overall it will be beneficial to all companies regardless of the project.
10) Do you have any general comments or advice about the usability of a TSA?
Find devices that will work in sync with your company’s current systems. Review the devices and select the best one that suits your company’s needs. Review construction management software and select one that will provide you with the outcomes your company desires. At the end of the day the devices should create a more efficient work environment and ease procedures overall especially when paired with a construction management software. Remember to keep it simple and everyone will be more welcoming of the new technology.
These devices have proven to provide companies with a way to implement more efficient systems within their companies. This is leading to faster and more efficient systems, ultimately saving companies time and money.
In Conclusion
Adam’s research represents a sector of the industry that is heading for change. Construction documentation and recordkeeping needs this level of innovation to become more efficient and deliver better results. Thank you to Adam for collaborating with us this month.
If you or someone you know has a research project to share, please reach out!
