Construction Workflow App Using Job Site Codes for Craft Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inefficiencies in managing construction projects arise from mismanagement and lack of direct communication between various crafts, leading to delays and rework due to unscheduled issues, incorrect address information, and reliance on construction managers who are often overwhelmed with messages.
Innovation Solution
An automated system using a smartphone-based construction management application that enables direct communication between crafts by scanning a job site code, updating activity statuses, and determining next tasks, thereby reducing reliance on construction managers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If construction managers manually coordinate all crafts through phone, text, or email, then direct human communication is maintained, but the construction manager becomes overwhelmed with hundreds of messages and coordination efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a construction management system as an intermediary between crafts. The system includes a server that receives notifications from one craft and automatically generates notifications to other crafts, eliminating the need for construction managers to manually coordinate each communication while maintaining direct digital communication channels between all parties involved in the construction process.
2Reliability
If construction managers respond to each message individually, then personalized attention is provided, but significant time is lost and delays occur in addressing unscheduled issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the construction management server automatically processes notifications and generates appropriate responses without requiring manual intervention from construction managers. When a craft completes an activity or reports an issue, the server automatically identifies dependent crafts, determines their status, and sends notifications, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring human management of each interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback loops where completion status and issue information are automatically communicated from one craft to dependent crafts through the server. This ensures that all relevant parties receive timely updates about project status changes, enabling rapid response to unscheduled issues while maintaining reliable coordination.
3Loss of information
If construction managers track all project communications manually, then complete oversight is maintained, but it becomes difficult to keep track of what is going on and perform searches for prior messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of tracking communications with a digital automated system. The server computer automatically logs all notifications, messages, and communications in a database, eliminating the need for construction managers to manually track information. This digital system enables efficient searching, filtering, and retrieval of any communication history without the burden of manual record-keeping.
4Manufacturing precision
If construction managers provide feedback to subcontractors about performance issues, then quality control is improved, but it is difficult to inform subcontractors of consistent errors in a timely manner
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback mechanisms where the server can track and monitor the performance of subcontractors and crafts in real-time. When quality issues or consistent errors are detected, the system can automatically generate and deliver feedback notifications to the relevant subcontractors, significantly reducing the time delay in providing quality control information while maintaining precise tracking of work quality metrics.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for construction management includes a scannable job site code that is scanned by a user's device to determine which property the user is at and to initiate work by the user (e.g., craftsman or team) at that property. The system for construction management includes a database having activities to be performed (e.g., construction activities), definitions of users (e.g., craftsman or teams) and construction managers. The system for construction management provides accurate communications between the craftsman/teams and the construction managers, reducing messaging and phone calls to the construction manager. The system for construction management provides direct communications between craftsman/teams and other craftsman/teams as well as the construction managers, reducing messaging and phone calls, e.g., to the construction manager.