Mobile application prototype for on-site information management in construction industry

Abstract

The construction industry is information intensive. Although the amount of information has increased over the past years, the number of advanced information technology applications used to collect, access, and use this information has not grown accordingly. For instance, current commercial information technology applications are very specific and lack simplicity and functionality. This study developed a mobile application that can be used to improve information management during construction projects. To achieve this aim, the information required to properly design the mobile application was collected by distributing an online questionnaire among construction professionals. Then 10 critical on-site information artifacts, considered important from the perspective of consultants and contractors, were selected for prototype development. A server-based application was developed based on enterprise content management concepts. The mobile application was tested in a laboratory by construction management students at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The test results demonstrate that the application is well designed and user friendly.