Problems in the Construction Industry in Malaysia, Need for Implementing Information Technologies - Research Proposal Example

Running Head: IT Proposal   Table of Contents: Table of Contents: 2 STRUCTURE OF CHAPTERS LITERATURE REVIEW & STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS This chapter identifies the major problem of the desertion. It highlights the problems in the construction industry in Malaysia and why there is need for the implementation of information technology in construction industry of Malaysia. AIM / HYPOTHESIS This chapter is based on the hypothesis, that how information technology and internet play an important role in the construction projects. OBJECTIVES The next chapter provides details about the objectives of this report under the light of information technology. How can we use technology for the betterment of construction projects in Malaysia. RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES This chapter focuses on the research methodologies which should be used in order to make the construction projects more effective and efficient. It also shows data in the form of tables, in order to understand it more clearly. CONCLUSION: This section provides the information about the major findings of the report and provides suggestions for the construction industry that how they can apply information technology. RECOMMENDATIONS: At the end this report also provides some Recommendations about the projects and future work for the construction industry. LITERATURE REVIEW & STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS In the economy of Malaysia the real state and construction is the integral part. There are so many problems which Malaysian construction industry is facing today. These problems effect to the productivity of construction industry. There are several problems caused by the manpower, quality of productivity and time. There is a lack of trained manpower. In Malaysia many contractors do not have good skills in engineering construction. More ever there is a problem of good management. So as a result mostly constriction projects in Malaysia do not follow the proper timetable. There is a lack of trained manpower in Malaysia so information technology has a great significance in making lives simpler and easier. So Malaysians industry should use Information technology as a weapon against all these problems. Having a good technical skill in construction can produce remarkable results in the output. So the aim of this paper is to implement the technologies provided by information technology in such a way that it helps in the construction projects in Malaysia. Different methods will be explained in this paper, including networking and usage of proper software that carry out all the activities of construction and increases its level. At the end in the forms of table, it shows that the out after the implementation of information technology in the domain of construction on Malaysia enhanced rapidly and in the future the out put of these construction projects would be much better as compared to today. LITERATURE REVIEW ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY In the 1980s, the relationship among information technology and the productivity became a source of debate. The amazing improvements in the underlying capabilities of computers proved that now it is nearly impossible to estimate their effectiveness in order to increase productivity in any field. Recent research in the field of information technology is indeed more encouraging. There are several researchers who documented positive effects of information technology in the construction industry as well. So on the basis of information technology, this paper focus on benefits of IT and also concludes with recommendations in construction industry of Malaysia REVIEW ON IMPORTANT OF IT TO TIME AND COST OVERRUNS Information technology is a key component that plays an important role in order to minimize cost overrun Cost overrun is the common term that can be seen in the in projects of infrastructure, and building. It has been estimated that average cost overrun was 43 percent; nearly 71 percent of projects were over budget, over time, and under scope. So it is very necessary to involve information technology to handle these affairs. REVIEW ON CONTRACTOR TIME AND COST OVERRUNS IN MALAYSIA The problem of contractors and cost overruns in the construction industry is a global phenomenon in the construction industry of Malaysia. After great research on this issue we can conclude following reason and causes of contractors. Improper planning of contractor. Poor site management done by contractor. inadequate contractor experience inadequate client’s finance and payments for completed work problems with subcontractors Shortage in material labor supply Equipment availability failure Lack of communication between parties Mistakes during the construction stage. Similarly we find out reasons of cost overrun, which are as fallows; Time overrun Cost overrun Personal disputes Arbitration Total abandonment AIM / HYPOTHESIS: In the last few years Information technology has made a significant growth world wide. In all parts of the world, technology is playing a great role in daily lives. In the world of today, the main forms of information technology is the internet, which is used in order to access, exchange and interact with the rest of the world (ENR,1996b). As the present information flow systems used commonly in Malaysian construction industry consist of much inefficiency. Misunderstandings and common errors arise because of re-entry of data as well as because of the interpretation which include in the project construction. Sometimes this thing results in the form of extended project completion times and much higher costs (Carroll and Broadhead, 1997). By using information technology, an improved information system allowing for better communication as well as a better teamwork, that may provide the answer for solving these inefficiencies and the Internet may be the key (Wright and Setzer, 1993). I few talk about information technology, then Internet can be used as a central medium, which allow different sort of information to be stored, retired, and modify in such a single place that is reachable for all the parties which are being involved in that particular project. OBJECTIVES The main objective of this report is to study the existing technologies provided by information technology in order to information exchange, that device such sort of methods and techniques that can be used very efficiently and effectively in the construction industry of Malaysia. Information technology provides a strong bridge for reducing the difficulties of life. Being on the internet, the main focus is to developing such technologies and its implications and acceptability by the construction industry in Malaysia (Clough and Sears, 1994). The first step discuss the previous research and the current trends of the Internet in the construction industry, after that we need to filter such information related to constriction that can not be computerized and finally we need to discuss capabilities of internet and information technology and the ways in which it can be used in construction industry. Usually the construction industry has always been slow to change, but the technology impacts have an enormous impact on this industry (ENR, 1995). RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES In the construction industry the acceptance of the Internet as an information exchange medium is an important medium. As we know that in the construction industry change arises very slow. KEY Features Networking The first in implementing information technology is networking. It is the practice of linking two or more computing devices together for the purpose of sharing data. Networks are built with a mix of computer hardware and computer software. Once a network is built it is very convenient to interact with each other (ENR, 1996a). Today different Project specific networks or web sites has been developed and each and everything regarding the project comes under consideration on them Software Information technology provides such software which can help out in building the construction projects (Smith, 1999). This software provides Competitive advantage in the construction industry and plays an important role in the Market potential. With the help of these software the communication gaps is over and project management is greatly improved. After deploying the software the states of the tasks would be as follows. Design Phase Tasks TASK PRESENT STATE CURRENT CAPABILITIES FUTURE STATE Feasibility No No No Create preliminary report No Yes Yes Create sketches No No No Send preliminary report No Yes Yes Send preliminary No Yes Yes Review preliminary No Yes Yes Review preliminary No Yes Yes Develop drawings No Yes Yes Develop specifications No Yes Yes Develop Eng. Estimate No No Yes Send drawings No Yes Yes Send specifications No Yes Yes Send Eng. Estimate No Yes Yes Accept or reject above No No No Phone conversations No Yes Yes/No Mailing objects No No No Mailing letters No/Yes Yes Yes Meetings No Yes Yes/No I few take a look at the above table. It becomes clear that with the help of information technology tools and techniques, in the future the end result will be greatly enhanced. Tender Phase Tasks TASK PRESENT STATE CURRENT CAPABILITIES FUTURE STATE Review project delivery No No No Choose contract type No No No Develop instr. to Bidders No Yes Yes Call for tenders Yes/No Yes Yes GC receives tender call Yes/No Yes Yes GC gets drawings and No Yes Yes SC gets drawings and No Yes Yes GC develops quantity No No Yes SC develops quantity No No Yes Request inf. from supplier No Yes Yes Send quantities to supplier No Yes Yes Supplier develops costs No No No Supplier sends inf. to Cs No Yes Yes SC develops estimate No No No SC sends estimate to GC No Yes Yes GC receives estimate No Yes Yes GC chooses SC No No No GC develops proposal No Yes Yes GC sends proposal No Yes Yes GC sends bid bond No No Yes Owner receives proposals No Yes Yes Owner reviews proposals No Yes Yes Award contract to lowest No No Yes GC signs form of No No No GC requests bond from No Yes Yes Surety accepts or rejects No Yes Yes Surety sends bond to No No Yes Meetings No Yes Yes/No Phone conversations No Yes Yes/No mailing letters No Yes Yes mailing objects No No Yes Similarly the above given table shows the present and future states of a project, and its clear that in future all the states will be in much better state. Construction Phase Tasks TASK PRESENT STATE CURRENT CAPABILITIES FUTURE STATE Develop schedule No No Yes Provide schedule to all parties No Yes Yes Update schedule No No Yes Progress reports No Yes Yes Other reports e.g. cost control No Yes Yes Progress meetings No Yes Yes/No Addendum No Yes Yes Material procurement No Yes Yes Material pick up No No No Equipment Rental No No No Inspections No No No Phone conversations (inquiry) No Yes Yes Mailing objects No No No Mailing letters No/Yes Yes Yes And many more This table shows tasks in construction phase with respect to implementation of information technology and its future impacts (Schriener, 1995) CONCLUSION There are so many factors which play an important role in the project success. Following are the some areas where further research can improve project delivery in Malaysia (Standard Form of Design and Build/Turnkey Contract, 2000). Apart from benefits of productivity and the operational efficiency, IT and the internet can improve project delivery in the following way. a) Implementation of a web based Project management system. There is a need to synergize the hardware, software and the human elements in order to make it successful. If we talk about human elements the players need not only to be ready technically but at the same time they should be mentally prepared for the task. b) The tools of the IT should be used in the systematic briefing process. In the document client should clearly brief intention of the project which actually had to be communicated to the project team. c) Use e-commerce in order to enhance management of supply chain. This will simply results in saving of cost as well as time. RECOMMENDATIONS Good quality of workmanship Apart from information technology and tools, during the period of construction, the contractors and the employers should conduct more supervision work. This supervision is mandatory in order to ensure that the contractor is regularly informing the progress of the work. Both parties should work together during these supervisions. Implementing code of practice In order to improve the construction industry system and quality, some doe or standard of practice should be enforced before directly getting involved in the project. This simply results in suitable and reasonable appointing of contractors and consultants in a project of construction. REFRENCES RM Wachter - JAMA, (2006). Expected and Unanticipated Consequences of the Quality and Information Technology Revolutions . Available: http://jama.amaassn.org/cgi/content/extract/295/23/2780. Last accessed 01 dec 2009. SA Assaf, S Al-Hejji . (2006). International Journal of Project Management. Available: http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0263786305001262. Last accessed 01 dec 2009. M Sambasivan, YW Soon . (2007). International Journal of Project Management. 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