Project Monitoring Methods Exploratory Case Analysis: Industry Responses

In project type product production the need for feedback creates the task of collecting field progress measurements. This task may be completed by experienced engineers or assigned to interns and field hands. Whichever the case, the process of field production feedback is inherently inaccurate and may lead to unforeseen project events. It is possible that other industry divisions have similar issues and used solutions applicable to construction. This paper summarizes a case-based analysis of responses from a focus group. The conclusions drawn from the focus group are then further defined through a questionnaire survey. A majority (55% to 75% @95% confidence level (CL)) of construction professionals (i.e., salaried) do not use software tools beyond Microsoft office, which indicates software tools (initial/reorganization/training/support) costs are more than the perceived benefits provided. The Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) system collects measurements from sensors and links these measurements to an activity's programmable recipe formula and monitoring report. While, this system may not be applicable to most construction sites, components and concepts may be.