ABSTRACT
The gathering of case study data has a major role to play in increasing the uptake of IT within the construction industry. The reviews of the cases provide industry with examples of real-life experiences and the benefits gained through implementing IT. How the IT was implemented, and more importantly cost savings which can be reaped, prove of real worth to those contemplating the plunge. This chapter will review case study data from real IT implementations in a range of organisations. The case studies set out to examine the business problem, the existing use of IT, the solution to the business problem, the implementation of the IT, the benefits derived from the implementation and more importantly the lessons learned from the implementation. In addition to this, the chapter begins with a review of three major construction projects and demonstrates the importance of information and document management within the project environment and the scale of the coordination problem. The case study data covers a wide range of business processes including EDMS, performance management, customer service management, facilities management, database building, supply chain RFID, digital pen and paper and purchasing procedures. Whilst other books may concentrate on just the favourable aspects of the implementation process, it was felt important by us that we review the lessons learnt along with the drawbacks of the implementations. It is important to revisit the business process area where the IT was implemented and review its effects, and also to put steps in place to re-engineer areas of the process that still require refinement. Cost savings that are listed within the text are our best estimates: these estimates being driven by the lack of accurate measurement in the case organisations and also by the dearth of models and other tools within the industry and relevant literature, that would allow these savings to be quantified on a more relevant and accurate scale. The reviews cover three substantial projects in their own rights, and eight applications being developed and applied in specific business areas.
