Flexible categorizations for organizing architecture engineering and construction project information in groupware.

摘要

The Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry is information intensive. Evolving information technologies hold much potential for the management of construction project information. AEC groupware, one type of these evolving technologies, refers to web-based software applications that, through the power of the Internet and a shared interface, allow project participants to manage this information in a collaborative, timely manner.;This thesis investigates the extent of potential differences in information structure preferences by surveying employees of companies representing various typical construction project participant roles. Based on the findings of substantial structure preference differences, a categorization scheme has been developed that incorporates and accommodates these differences. The developed scheme allows project participants to use their preferred folder structure yet maintains connections between differing folder structures in an AEC groupware environment. A comprehensive data analysis process was used in the categorization scheme development.;Organizing project information in AEC groupware is commonly accomplished through categorization using hierarchical structuring of the information. The effectiveness of the categorization is challenged by the large quantity of information involved in a construction project and potential preference differences in the structure of the categorization from one project participant to another. Many current examples of commercial AEC groupware applications contain one rigid structure that must be used by all project participants; one or more participants must compromise their project information structure preferences.