Web-centric systems: A new paradigm for collaborative engineering

In the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, project success relies heavily on timely transfer of information. The World Wide Web now provides new opportunities for the development of distributed systems. These systems can cross the organizational boundaries and provide a unique opportunity for teamwork and workflow automation among otherwise isolated entities. Web-centric systems present a new model for implementing collaborative efforts. Characteristics of this new paradigm shift are centered on the concepts of ownership, accessibility, availability, and timeliness of information together with the notions of process implementation and control. This paper presents a development model for Web-centric systems. The model is illustrated by reporting on the implementation and evaluation of a Web-centric system that supports inspection, called "Field Inspection Reporting System'' (or FIRS). The evaluation is executed through a case study performed at the Department of Facilities Management of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Research results demonstrate improved inspection performance using the field inspection reporting system. Performance measures include time, cost, quality, and service. Study results validate the Web-centric model and suggest its appropriateness for life-cycle collaborative systems.