Real-time mobile information system for construction programme management

Abstract

The complexity and information-intensive nature of construction programmes require Programme Managers to access construction information in real-time and when needed. The increasing use of mobile devices, such as PDAs, offers an opportunity to meet this need. However, access to information and services on mobile devices is often limited by their capability and the network coverage and bandwidth. This creates problems in accessing the right information at the right time, especially when spontaneous and/or urgent decision-making is needed. Decision-making can be improved by delivering information and services to Programme Managers via their mobile devices in real-time and based on their context. This paper reviews the challenges and issues in the delivery of information in construction programme management and explores how context-aware computing can help in managing information and services in a construction programme. The key issues in context-awareness in construction programme management are discussed and the enabling information and communication technologies described. The context of a user (such as role, location, time, preference, etc) can be utilised to provide personalised information. Wireless communication technologies allow computing and communication devices to be used virtually anywhere in delivering information and services. The discussion in the paper focuses on the potential application of context-aware computing in construction programme management using wireless devices. Conclusions are drawn about the possible implementation of these emerging contextaware computing technologies for Construction Programme Managers in Malaysia.