B5 - The Use of Databases in Construction Firms

The construction industry is arguably an industry of ideas and information, especially in this digital age. Past the point of idea formation, those ideas are then translated into information stored in models and schedules and that is what becomes the main commodity for the majority of the project. The client is essentially buying the information and ideas from architects and engineers. That information is then in the hands of the contractor doing the work, and that is when it all becomes tangible. This conversion is crucial to the efficiency and cost effectiveness of a project. Because of this, a construction firms work revolves around the data held within and extracted from the models they receive. In order to properly store, access, and manage this data, firms have to use databases. As discussed in the article I read for this post, tactics like data warehousing can be used for decision making purposes. Likewise databases can be used for tracking and predicting accurate project scheduling and avoiding large costly project delays. Furthermore, databases can be used to house and present information about each component of the building in a visually appealing manner to the client. This then becomes a perk or service of a construction firm to sell. Databases play a very crucial role in the industry and in this day and age provide the backbone to the work these firms conduct.

Elvira
Hey,

I read through this article too so it was interesting to hear your take on it. The planning, coordinating, and organizational aspects that databases present firms like this is by far the most beneficial aspect in my opinion. I think you also bring up some interesting points of the different type of databases and how the different ways they are accessed can be helpful lin different ways.
https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/b5-databases-x-construction.html

Cory
Hey,

I like your ideas about using a language that's universal especially given the amount of coordination that has to go into an industry like this. That is definitely a very crucial aspect to highlight.
https://ae-410-510-ay19-20.blogspot.com/2020/02/databases-in-design.html

Brian
Hey,

I appreciate how you brought the topic into your own experiences and made it something more tangible. RElating this to work we've done definitely helped create a better understanding of the topic.