While construction projects may be likened to crisis situations, unlike emergencies most tasks, processes, and labor needs are known in advance. But similar to an emergency, integrated planning and deployment of resources are central to optimal performance. The key to this, found LSU officials, was to select and deploy a platform suitable for an EOC by studying the solution from the bottom up, ensuring that everything from the physical assets to the team directory are configured for the real-world needs.

 

 

In the traditional design process, the majority of the output by the AEC team occurs during the construction-documentation (CD) phase, when the ability to control costs is low and the cost of design changes is increasing. In the integrated project process, documentation is created in earlier phases, when the ability to control costs is much greater and the cost of changes is relatively low.

 

 

Technologies for IPD

With communication and data integration as the backbone of integrated delivery, the AIA and leading AEC firms have focused recently on the new technologies that can enhance functionality in new projects while helping leverage the content developed with legacy computer technology. That's another reason that the AIA recommends "open and interoperable data exchanges based on disciplined and transparent data structures," says the 2007 study. "Because open standards best enable communications among all participants, technology that is compliant with open standards is used whenever available."

            While this drive to integrate systems and match open industry standards can affect numerous kinds of information and telecommunications technologies, there are three areas the project teams should focus on:

• Collaboration Software. Project teams involved with IPD work and interact remotely in consolidated, organized "workspaces" - virtual business environments - regardless of their online/offline status. By allowing consistency and coordination, the workspaces are intended to save time, increase productivity, and strengthen team deliverables.
• Integrated Web-based Applications. Using software and server hardware, the Internet-hosted collaboration tools allow project teams to stay connected and access key information as needed. These "foundation platforms" flex and scale to meet the varied needs of projects of all sizes and complexity. They also provideadministrative controls for managing storage and Web infrastructure.
• Building Information Modeling. Also known as BIM, building information modeling employs a digital, three-dimensional model linked to a database of project information. The technology can incorporate data for project design, component fabrication, and building erection instructions, as well as project management logistics. BIM can be used for facility operations and renovations as well.

Within these broad categories are a range of specific technologies, including software and hardware. "Firms also need to consider new tools such as virtual work spaces and real time messaging to make it easier and therefore more likely for workers to collaborate early and often," says IDC's Levitt. "And the promise of integration-whether it's for project management and delivery or whether it's integration of all corporate systems that relate to information that users need - is the key to it."