Examining the Gap Between Construction Software Modules and Lean Contractor Practices

Abstract

Construction contracting software has existed for over three decades while this industry has suffered many of the same problems, such as disproportionately high bankruptcy rates and stagnant multifactor productivity. This paper reviewed industry software operating manuals and conducted executive interviews to examine a significant blind spot in the Australian construction industry. This gap is the lack of support their products give to the accepted practices of contractors' operations. Software developers appear to have not pursued the clear Lean ideal of "perfection". All their client's needs and wants have not been met. Many small and medium-sized contractors rely on customising computer spreadsheets to calculate supporting information needed to execute some practices. In contrast, others are unaware of the methods or have not taken this additional step. The researcher has identified eight specific processes to research software firms' product literature to discover the extent of the gap. The sources of these issues are many; however, tailoring construction software to enable effective practices while "hardwiring" them into a company's process could lessen industry problems. Lean Construction researchers have asserted that this is the potential of Information and Communication Technology through a "push" approach.