A database
that is implemented into a construction firm is an invaluable tool that helps
to organize equipment, materials, payments, meeting minutes and work progress. With
aspects of a project managed through a database, a historical database can be
established and easily referenced in the future for similar projects.
A Record of
when equipment and materials are delivered and where they are located on the
site helps to decrease time finding and making use of them. In J.W.S. Maxwell’s
book Applications of Information Technology in Construction, he states
that it is common practice for payment of labor and payment of materials to be
separate in construction projects. For this reason, it is required that the
finances of the work preformed and the quantities of the materials used be
documented in the database.
All
documentation including meeting minutes, technical correspondence, contractual
correspondence and all other documents relating to the design should be
uploaded to the database. This will ensure that the construction firm is
protected from any unforeseen conditions that might be encountered.
As stated
before, the use of a database in a construction firm is invaluable and
organizes all aspects of the project into one central location that can be
accessed by anyone in any location. This helps organize and results in less
confusion for everyone on the project. When data is entered, it allows for the
creation of a historical database that helps apply documents from past projects
to future projects that may occur in similar locations.
Comments on other Post:
Donahue:
It’s very interesting to see where the future of the design
industry is headed and how databases fit into that. Much like the future of
other technologies in our industry, databases are also addressing defects
earlier in the design process allowing for smoother design and construction
phases.
Morimoto:
I thought you did a great job explaining the history of relational
database theory and showing the different companies that have relational
database management systems. Most of the time students just simple use software
without actually knowing the things going on internally but it was nice to see
the connection you made with Relational databases and BIM programs.
Sources:
Application of Information Technology in Construction
by J.W.S. Maxwell
http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build02/PDF/b02142.pdf
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. You basically touched on all of the thoughts that came into my head first when thinking about contractor databases. They're perfect for organization in that they provide a method of ensuring consistency between projects for pricing, equipment, and scheduling. Also, I like how you stated that you can use databases to store historical data about the company and its projects, which can help make decisions based on past circumstances. I actually can't imagine how much work it would have been back in the day having to look up a cost or figure every single time you needed it instead of quickly searching a centralized excel sheet.