Smaller contractors are characterised by inefficient planning and
therefore poor productivity. This leads to projects running over time and over budget.
Currently, many smaller contractors’
inefficiencies stem from non-site staff’s poor technical understanding, a lack of
supervisory skills that reflects the current shortage of skilled construction personnel
across the board, and ineffective scheduling, particularly in supply of materials. These
factors lead to a difficulty in identifying progress on a project, do not allow for
effective budgeting, and have an adverse effect on workforce morale. Further, lack of
supervision often extends to sub-contractors, which adds to the overall lack of effective
control. Given the status quo, where sub-contractors are entrusted with pricing matters,
there is a clear case for the introduction of processes that allow a degree of control
that ensures effective planning, timely assessment of progress and stricter budgetary
control.
Many smaller contractors have a standing
‘Programme of Works’, but these are not always used, or used properly, and their
efficiency is reduced as they rarely link into tools such as labour allocation.
These shortcomings can be addressed by a
flexible workflow system containing a forecasting tool and revisions made to existing
‘Programme of Works’ schedules. These schedules are linked to and are the
controlling influence over labour allocation, materials ordering and the new forecasting
tool. Workflow management is the co-ordination, control and communication of the sequence
of activities involved in a building project. A workflow management system is a software
tool designed to enable a company to manage its resources i.e., the business workflows
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- To provide a model workflow management system for smaller
contractors to employ for project work, thereby improving knowledge management, labour
productivity, materials acquisition and delivering greater efficiency in the management of
building projects.
- To create a forecasting tool within the workflow system that
will facilitate performance measurement.
- To create links into best selling accounting software,
widely used in the SME sector.
- To create both manual and computerised workflow models,
using standard software packages, for dissemination to the industry through the IT Best
Practice Programme.
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