Progress Manager: IT-Support for Progress Data Collection on Construction Sites

Construction projects constitute challenging project management tasks. In order to manage construction projects, site superintendents and project managers require accurate and timely progress information in order to be able to proactively respond to problems and delays in the construction process. To date, the process of collecting up to date and accurate progress information in the field is still not sufficiently supported by existing IT-systems. Based on an analysis of information needs, process requirements and human computer interaction constraints, we propose a system, Progress Manager, which supports data collection in the field, handling, storage and distribution of construction progress information. The graphical interface of the mobile computing component of the system uses a schematic layout of the project to support site superintendents to input observed progress information. The modular architecture of the system supports the different process steps involved in progress monitoring. Preliminary experiences with the system on different construction projects indicate that the proposed system allows superintendents to collect progress information more efficiently and consistently compared to traditional methods of gathering the information.