(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2012)
Nourbakhsh, Mehdi; Zin, Rosli Mohamad; Irizarry, Javier; Zolfagharian, Sameneh; Gheisari, Masoud
Purpose:
This paper presents the results of a study aimed at investigating the information requirements for broad use
mobile applications for construction projects. It also presents the results of usability testing of a mobile
application prototype for improving information management in construction projects.
Design/methodology/approach:
To achieve the research objectives, the information required to properly design the mobile application was
collected by distributing an online questionnaire among construction professionals. Then a server-based
application prototype was developed based on enterprise content management concepts. The mobile application
was tested in a laboratory by setting a group of construction management postgraduate students who had
experience on working in construction industry.
Finding:
This study determines and ranks the critical on-site information artifacts, considered highly important from the
perspective of clients, consultants, and contractors. The study also illustrates the development of a mobile
application prototype and results of a usability test. The test results demonstrate that the application is well
designed, user friendly, and meets user requirements.
Practical implications:
The results of this study are useful for developing a functional mobile application to manage on-site information
in construction projects.
Originality/value:
The paper makes an original contribution of investigating information requirements of a mobile application for
on-site information management.