Collecting timely and accurate site information is essential for assessing project performance, deciding corrective actions, and documenting as-built details. Information collection, however, has been a manual process that is time-consuming and errors-prone. To improve the tracking of site information, this paper proposes a combined voice-visual framework for communicating among project participants. The framework is unique in its ability to use low-cost information technology (IT) tools such as email, internet-based telephony, and SMS to automate daily site information capturing and tracking. The proposed framework will implement these IT tools within a scheduling system on a handheld device that allows both voice and visual communication and documentation. This system has the ability to capture all daily site information related to each activity along with supporting documents (photos, video, audio, as-built sketches, and other documents). As such, it helps in thoroughly and effortlessly documenting the evolution of the construction progress and its as-built outcome. The proposed system allows construction firms better control over construction operations and provides timely data for decision making, which can lead to better productivity and fewer disputes. |
