Efectiveness of software applications in construction project management

Abstract

Today, construction industry is becoming complex due to rapid improvement in design and technology. Completing construction project without time and cost overrun is a great challenge. In Sri Lankan condition, the need for efficient management is more urgent than ever before. In fact, inefficient construction management has contributed to long drawn-out projects in the past with inflated costs and delayed utilization. Professional construction project management input is a mandatory requirement for successful project completion and one tool the project manager can effectively used to manage the project is dedicated project management software. This study report, research in to the application of dedicated project management software in construction management by building contractors in Sri Lanka. The focus of this research was to gather industry experience in the use and application of construction management software and to assess the difficulties face & benefits realised by the industry. It was based on a survey of local C1, C2, C3 & C4 grade contractors, engaged specially in building construction, registered at ICTAD. The industry experiences in usage of dedicated project management software were studied under three main areas of project management, planning, scheduling and controlling. This was done through a questionnaire based interview. Over 80% of firms are using MS Project as project management software & usage was limited only for initial basic facilities provided by software and very less usage in cost & resource related activities. Providing easy administration of works, integration & approach to repetitive tasks, Force due to competitors & consultants are most important factors highlighted as reasons for usage. Non availability of trained staff & lack of interest among top management are significant difficulties faced. Only 35% of firms have a plan to develop their software systems.