Aconex a Powerful Project Management Tool or Expensive Email and File Server?
Hello all,
For TMR 1 I am writing on the use of digital project management and communication systems as I have seen them in Multiplex compared to how a “power user” would use them compared to how I have seen/done project management and communication in the military.
To give a very quick overview if you have no idea what I’m taking about, Multiplex uses a system called Aconex which is a cloud based project management system providing a full audit trail across all project stakeholders. Once anything has been uploaded or sent it is there as a permanent record to aid in future understanding of evolution of design, contract negotiations, dispute resolutions, etc… It works fully in the cloud with only a web browser needed for access but also has powerful mobile apps which allows site based personnel to access current documents, send RFIs, log defects and respond to/create messages.
Aconex have a short sales video which describes what they do far better than I can in this very short blog, which hopefully works below.
What I don’t know is what other systems are out there and what the UK construction industry uses, so I’m asking for your help. In the comments below could I get you to let me know what systems your projects are using and give me an idea on how they are being used. Thanks all.
Once complete I will put up a summary of my TMR so you can see what my conclusion was and if there is utility for future military projects we will be involved in.
Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog 
Hope all is well Ben
Al Whiston’s thesis is looking at the Carillion attempt to provide Cloud based PM tools in the (now defunct) business.
I can’t recall the name of the software but it is not Aconex.
He has used a P3M3 maturity model to set up comparators between what the company needed in a PM vehicle and what the services was delivering.
He then interviewed users of the pre-Cloud methods and post-Cloud methods.
So might be worth the pair of you talking
Hi Ben,
I would be intrigued to read your findings on this. As John mentions I have done my thesis on a very similar theme, though scoped to site based processes only.
In response to your question; Carillion used an information management system (IMS) called Fieldview for on-site processes (handovers, NCR’s, H&S forms, etc.). I understand that some of the other current Phase 3’s also used this system while on site. At Carillion this was integrated with another IMS called Conject which hosted more general project information (drawings, spec’s, etc.).
There is a wide range of IMS on the market for these sort of applications, others I am aware of include; A-site, 4Projects and Causeway.
If you would like to chat through this topic a little more please let me know.
Al
Hi Ben,
Buzzsaw was the Autodesk offering but it ceased to be available to new customers late I 2016. My understanding is that the RE/MoD are not presently looking at, or even actively discussing, BIM (it is a dirty word in the training design world). When the Corps investigated BIM platforms Autodesk was identified as the preference so one would have seen Buzzsaw as the logical PM platform. The present Autodesk offering is termed BIM 360, but the very name means it cannot be mentioned in most military circles.
My site is bringing in aconex this month and I’ll be doing my training on it in the next 2 weeks. I’ll let you know what I think.
Ben, a good topic for a TMR. There is a good discussion on it from last year based on one of Al’s blog posts in which I also summarised the systems used over on the JOC project in the US. without looking back at the post, I can’t actually remember the name of the system used by HenselPhelps, our general contractor but I think it worked similarly to the system you’ve described.
One significant issue the contractor did run into was in the latter stages of the project when the building they were constructing was in partial possession of the client (the NSA). No mobile devices or smart technology was allowed inside and thus the contractors QC process went into a tailspin as they re-adjusted to old-school technology and the issues that come with version control etc… Maybe something unique to a few niche construction projects in the security sector but it did highlight the issue of resilience when it comes to adopting digital systems… Maybe something to consider in your analysis?
We’re using Asite and Field View as mentioned by Al.
Having watched the video of Aconex, it seems that system is able to combine the issue of design data with a QA and snagging tool.
Will email you some screen grabs of my accounts but my observations so far are;
Asite.
In theory this works well and, as with many similar products, offers an audit trail for revision issues, comments/annotations etc.
I am already starting to become swamped by the shear volume of drawings and data sheets that require my input to review or update the design status change. Others more senior now ignore their notifications as clearing the back log of actions is unachievable. Defeats the whole point in my opinion.
Field View.
Android and Ipad app that allows you to create your own tools and processes for QA. My experience with this is positive. I have been working with our IT team to create a bespoke process the reduces a paper-heavy ITP into a more user friendly digital format.
Aconex looks like it combines Asite and Field View into a single package. What’s the downside?