Architectural Engineering and Design Management

Architectural Engineering and Design Management 1 (2005) 127–143

Article

Different Perspectives Towards Using Web-Based Project Management Systems in Construction: Large Enterprises Versus Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Dr Patrick X W Zou and Bazlin A Roslan

The development of web-based project management (WBPM) systems for construction has been some time and they hold great promises in increasing productivity and project communication. But their actual application and benefits are yet to be recognized widely by construction professions. This paper reports on research into the current state of applications and the reasons for using or not using WBPM systems in the Australian construction industry. Data were collected through survey questionnaires and interviews. The results show that only some large construction organizations are utilizing WBPM systems in some of their projects and most of them are using an application service provider (ASP) rather than in-house development. The results also illustrate that the employees in those companies have a positive attitude towards WBPM systems. On the other hand, the results show that 89% of Australian construction organizations are not using WBPM systems and 76% do not plan to use a WBPM system. This is mainly because they do not see the need for such systems, plus their limited financial capabilities, small turnover and limited IT skills. In order to fully utilize the potential of WBPM systems, it is necessary to lower the system cost and increase employees' IT skills as well as their awareness of the benefits of such systems.

Keywords: Application service provider; communication and collaboration; construction; cost; IT; training; web-based project management system

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