Procession: a three-dimensional information visualisation tool for construction project statusing

Abstract

Construction project management traditionally uses two dimensional visualisation techniques to analyse project performance. In this paper, it is proposed that a more comprehensive performance measurement system might represent project progress as a three-dimensional data surface. A conceptual three-dimensional framework for the representation of non-physical construction industry data is outlined. This framework led to the development of 'Procession', a three-dimensional information visualisation software tool. Procession uses a three-dimensional data surface as an abstract representation of the described framework. The target group for Procession was social housing project clients. Field experiments were undertaken to compare the information quality and usability of Procession, with the progress reporting methods believed used by construction clients. The most important finding was that clients were significantly more able to assess project status with the developed software, than with their traditional reporting methods.