Paper (60): Information Integration for More Productive Construction Workforce
Abstract: Generating, sorting, integrating, storing and retrieving vital information as and when needed for critical decision-making underpins high performance and productivity of the workforce and therefore is a key lever for success in project delivery. This paper aims to narrow gaps in existing knowledge and research on generation and deployment of integrated information in support of high performing and productive workforce. First, the paper provides a contextual definition and key attributes of the concept of ‘productive workforce’. It further discusses the information needs of a productive workforce in the context of a construction project implementation. Insights are provided on the key components of integrated information required to support timely and reliable decision-making process for improved productivity and performance. A conceptual framework – Integrated Building Information Management (iBIM) – is presented to showcase best practice generation and deployment of integrated information in support of high performing and productive workforce in the project delivery process. Drawing upon building information modelling (BIM) and web-based collaboration technologies, iBIM models seamless integration of BIM data, cloud-based information storage system (CISS), real-time cloud-based information retrieval system (RCIRS), web-collaboration technology platform (WCTP), cloud-based information security system (CISS), and web content management system (WCMS). Overall, the paper provides argument in support of important policy formulation as well as quality investment in infrastructure and processes needed for organisation- and project-level information integration with a view to enhancing the productivity of the workforce and achievement of more satisfactory project outcomes.
Biography: Dr. Jasper Mbachu is a senior lecturer and coordinator of construction programmes in the School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, Massey University. For the past 20 years, Dr. Jasper has taught in universities in Nigeria, South Africa and New Zealand. He has over 14 years of construction work experience as a quantity surveyor, contracts manager, construction manager and a planner for the development of a range of building and civil engineering projects. He is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS). An RICS Chartered Surveyor, Dr. Mbachu is also a professional member of the NZIOB, PMI and the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). He convenes the annual series of the New Zealand Built Environment Research Symposium (NZBERS) (construction.massey.ac.nz/nzbers.htm).
