Applicability of e-Work models for the automation of construction materials management systems

Manual processes of quantity take-off, bidding and quantity revision of construction materials are the cause of numerous conflicts among construction process stakeholders. This research aims at redesigning these processes in the direction of a collaborative approach using e-Commerce technology. Relevant B2B approaches need to incorporate tools that minimize estimation errors and improve design quality. Recent research on e-Work models allows the proposition of a set of applications in construction materials management systems for the exchange of design and project information among contractors, designers, fabricators and suppliers. Expected benefits include improvements conflict resolution techniques, faster procurement and reduction of lead times. This paper discusses the applicability of e-Work in the automation of construction materials management systems, using knowledge of past estimations in addition to recent observations of other projects in progress or completed.