Establishing rule-based models to implement workflow within construction organizations

Because of the computer industry's lack of understanding of the construction trade and its particular needs for information, construction managers have been slow to take advantage of advanced information technology systems like workflow. The construction industry has not implemented systems to reduce the problems of information overload, delayed response and high overhead costs. This study examines and documents three different common management processes in the construction industry: labor reporting, request for payment, and change order request by utilizing process modeling for the purpose of identifying the rules necessary to automate those processes. The ultimate intent of this research is to assist researchers in developing rule bases for expert systems to support and control workflow that can be implemented in construction firms. The study employed a multiple-case study research method in order to document the three processes at small sample of construction companies. A “domain expert” and the employees involved in the three processes under study at eight general contracting firms were interviewed as part of this research. Questions were asked about the three processes and the transcripts from these interviews were analyzed and decomposed to provide “as-is” activity diagram models of how these processes are completed in the construction industry and a set of basic “rules” for each process. The information gathered from the domain experts and individuals at each company was validated through the use of methods triangulation, whereby multiple methods of investigation are used to verify the accuracy of the data collected. These methods included the use of interviews, company documents and comparisons with the domain expert at each firm. From the analysis of the information collected new, generic, “to-be” models of these processes were created. It was found that the processes can be reengineered, automated and controlled by using workflow technology supported by a rule based expert system.