Improving project management in the construction industry
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has enhanced a number of professions, even more traditional trades like construction. For instance, in recent years a number of Construction Project Management (CPM) tools have emerged in the marketplace. A GROWTH Programme project entitled ELinCPM sought to improve CPM tools by increasing the attention given to environmental and logistics aspects. HolteProsject Solutions AS, a Norwegian firm specialising in project management and a member of the ELinCPM project consortium, helped develop the ELinCPM tool. The ELinCPM tool was designed to be flexible and can be tailored to the individual needs of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) active in the construction industry. With respect to the environment, the emphasis was placed on waste management particularly on the recycling of building materials. Special consideration was also given to improving coordination between multiple entities involved in construction projects. The ELinCPM tool operates in a web browser environment that most people are familiar with. It is available in three languages: English, Norwegian and Spanish. Interested parties can demo the ELinCPM tool at: username = guest; password = guest(opens in new window). Further information, including free downloads, can also be gathered from: http://www.byggforsk.no/bsm/en/(opens in new window). The ELinCPM tool was used effectively in test projects executed during ELinCPM. Its creators would also like to point out that the tool can be used for project management in fields other than just construction.