The Effectiveness of Collaborative Centralized Information Systems in Project Management: A Pilot Demonstration of a Multifunctional Building in Africa
In the current context of transformation within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, and the growing adoption of interdisciplinary collaboration processes such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM), information management systems are cr...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/6/860 |
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| author | Fábio Oliveira Santos Nuno Lacerda Lopes |
| author_facet | Fábio Oliveira Santos Nuno Lacerda Lopes |
| author_sort | Fábio Oliveira Santos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the current context of transformation within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, and the growing adoption of interdisciplinary collaboration processes such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM), information management systems are crucial to ensure both the security and reliability of data, and its effective distribution among project stakeholders. Collaborative centralized information systems have emerged as powerful tools for communication and data exchange. However, establishing efficient and flexible methodologies for managing this information remains a significant challenge. This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative centralized information systems in project information management through a real-world example. The research focuses on analyzing a pilot project developed by our organization using the Bimcollab digital collaborative platform. The methodology adopted includes the following: (i) descriptive characterization of the project; (ii) selection of a defined timeframe; (iii) description and characterization of the information management systems; and (iv) comparative analysis between non-centralized and centralized information management systems. The case study examines the Detail Design phase of a project for a pharmaceutical industry complex comprising six buildings, with a total area of approximately 18,000 m<sup>2</sup>. From October to December 2022, a non-centralized information system was used, followed by the implementation of a centralized information system from January to March 2023. Key indicators, such as the number of occurrences, average number of recipients involved, response times, and resolution rates, were analyzed. The results showed that the complete resolution rate improved from 51% under the non-centralized system to 85% with the centralized system, representing a 34% increase. The pilot project underscores the benefits of centralized collaborative information systems, particularly in reducing response times and increasing resolution rates among stakeholders. These benefits are expected to apply across various functional programs, including residential construction, contributing to optimizing both project design and construction practices. While derived from a single case study, the findings highlight the need for further research involving multiple cases and phases of the project lifecycle to validate the generalizability of these outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-28451aef15034c148a46608d2ba1908c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-28451aef15034c148a46608d2ba1908c2025-08-20T02:42:35ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-03-0115686010.3390/buildings15060860The Effectiveness of Collaborative Centralized Information Systems in Project Management: A Pilot Demonstration of a Multifunctional Building in AfricaFábio Oliveira Santos0Nuno Lacerda Lopes1Faculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Via Panorâmica S/N, 4150-564 Porto, PortugalFaculty of Architecture, University of Porto, Via Panorâmica S/N, 4150-564 Porto, PortugalIn the current context of transformation within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector, and the growing adoption of interdisciplinary collaboration processes such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM), information management systems are crucial to ensure both the security and reliability of data, and its effective distribution among project stakeholders. Collaborative centralized information systems have emerged as powerful tools for communication and data exchange. However, establishing efficient and flexible methodologies for managing this information remains a significant challenge. This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative centralized information systems in project information management through a real-world example. The research focuses on analyzing a pilot project developed by our organization using the Bimcollab digital collaborative platform. The methodology adopted includes the following: (i) descriptive characterization of the project; (ii) selection of a defined timeframe; (iii) description and characterization of the information management systems; and (iv) comparative analysis between non-centralized and centralized information management systems. The case study examines the Detail Design phase of a project for a pharmaceutical industry complex comprising six buildings, with a total area of approximately 18,000 m<sup>2</sup>. From October to December 2022, a non-centralized information system was used, followed by the implementation of a centralized information system from January to March 2023. Key indicators, such as the number of occurrences, average number of recipients involved, response times, and resolution rates, were analyzed. The results showed that the complete resolution rate improved from 51% under the non-centralized system to 85% with the centralized system, representing a 34% increase. The pilot project underscores the benefits of centralized collaborative information systems, particularly in reducing response times and increasing resolution rates among stakeholders. These benefits are expected to apply across various functional programs, including residential construction, contributing to optimizing both project design and construction practices. While derived from a single case study, the findings highlight the need for further research involving multiple cases and phases of the project lifecycle to validate the generalizability of these outcomes.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/6/860information managementcollaborative platformsBIMIPDdesign project |
| spellingShingle | Fábio Oliveira Santos Nuno Lacerda Lopes The Effectiveness of Collaborative Centralized Information Systems in Project Management: A Pilot Demonstration of a Multifunctional Building in Africa Buildings information management collaborative platforms BIM IPD design project |
| title | The Effectiveness of Collaborative Centralized Information Systems in Project Management: A Pilot Demonstration of a Multifunctional Building in Africa |
| title_full | The Effectiveness of Collaborative Centralized Information Systems in Project Management: A Pilot Demonstration of a Multifunctional Building in Africa |
| title_fullStr | The Effectiveness of Collaborative Centralized Information Systems in Project Management: A Pilot Demonstration of a Multifunctional Building in Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Effectiveness of Collaborative Centralized Information Systems in Project Management: A Pilot Demonstration of a Multifunctional Building in Africa |
| title_short | The Effectiveness of Collaborative Centralized Information Systems in Project Management: A Pilot Demonstration of a Multifunctional Building in Africa |
| title_sort | effectiveness of collaborative centralized information systems in project management a pilot demonstration of a multifunctional building in africa |
| topic | information management collaborative platforms BIM IPD design project |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/6/860 |
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