Impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on construction projects

Abstract

a. rimmington · g. dickens · c. pasqire · bim in teaching — impact of information and communication technology (ict) · pp 1367-1382 The changing face of construction projects has resulted in a movement towards the use of technology as a primary means of communication. The consequences of this rise in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) is a loss of interpersonal communication skills. A number of result-ing issues within the human – electronic and human – human interfaces are identified in an attempt to define the efficiency of communication in projects. The research shows how ICT effects the social environment of construction project teams and the project outcome. The study seeks to confirm the need for further work in order to develop new forms of communication protocols and behaviour. An initial literature review was undertaken to develop a theoretical review of the impacts of ICT on construc-tion project teams. This review identified a number of issues that were then tested in the field through an observation and two verification interviews. The research confirms the existence of tensions and conflicts in the human – electronic and human -human communication interfaces within the studies environ-ment. It is proposed that the increasing use of ICT occur at the expense of soft system communication. The principal impact of this is a form of 'human distraction' which adversely affects the performance of project teams. There is limited theory exploring these issues that suggests the problems identified are not well understood and consequently indicates a gap in knowledge. 1368 organization, technology and management in construction · an international journal · 7(3)2015