The ultimate test of any new system is to ask a contractor to use it to run his business. Contractors are extraordinarily pragmatic—perhaps more so than anybody else involved in the project. In theory, contractors that make use of integrated project environments can expedite their construction schedules, for which there are usually strict contractual imperatives, take advantage of procurement systems that optimize orders for custom-built components at mass-production prices, and communicate project concepts interactively with team members and subcontractors. Yet despite many success stories, building contractors remain cautious. A general contractor adopting a new system of managing work places his business at great risk since the penalties for failure can be severe. As a result, contractors tend to rely upon their own network of subcontractors and suppliers to make absolutely certain that their projects are completed on time, on budget and within spec, rather than trusting the job to some unproven new business model. The adoption of new techniques and technologies for such fundamental processes as procurement and project management without an obvious imperative may simply represent another unnecessary risk to the project and the contractor's reputation within his network of contacts.

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The challenges and barriers to entry for Product Lifecycle Management among some segments within the AEC industry are considerable. And where competition among IT vendors and software developers surely results in a diversity of available alternatives for architects, engineers, contractors, owners and operators, too many options can create confusion, and only reinforce the belief—however well-founded—that the case for integrating project environments and adopting a "lifecycle" approach remains to be made for many architectural, engineering and contracting firms.

Nevertheless, the case has already been made that large-scale projects like process and power plants can no longer be competitively designed, built and operated without the benefit of PLM tools. Competitors using PLM systems have the advantages of distinguishing their organizations with ISO certification indicating they use "best practices" that incorporate industry standards to ensure the quality and portability of their product data. Owners are increasingly aware of these and other benefits offered by PLM for Operations and Maintenance systems, and seek long-term solutions to problems that currently plague their Legacy systems with obsolescence and data incompatibility.

For More Information: Some companies that currently produce PLM products for AEC applications include Aspen Technology, Baan, Bentley, Cadcentre, Deltek, IBM/Dassault, Intergraph, JDEdwards, SAP, and Wind2

About the Author
Francisco Domingo is an architecture critic, mining consultant and engineering technology journalist living in Mulligan's Valley, Colorado and Pacific Grove, California. His work has appeared in numerous magazines and trade publications.

David Clendenen is the Editor of AECVision and Managing Editor of AECCafe.com

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