Introduction
This document describes the reasoning behind the establishment, by the DETR, of a network of experts for the fields of objects and integration. The document presents the scope of the areas covered by the network, detailing benefits for the construction industry as well as for you as a participant in the network. The creation of a network of experts in Objects and Integration comes from the recent Construct IT Implementation Plan, published by the DETR in September 1996. This implementation plan proposed three networks, the first two of which are now being set up as pilots in the process, and objects and integration arenas. The third network for the knowledge-based systems area is likely to be initiated later in 1997. The first year of these networks will be used to assess their viability and benefit to participants, the industry, and DETR.
Why the Network?
What is the network?
Scope
Expected structure
Benefits of the network
Publicity
Knowledge sharing and access
Service help-desk
Communications
Objectives
Expected input
Initial work plan
E-mail Robert Amor BRE Trust Project
So why set up a network facilitator in the object and integration field? As you know, a key aspect of much that happens in construction is the result of interactions between informal networks of individuals. We always seem to meet the same faces at the same events, and we often find out what is happening in our field through talking to others we know who are working in the same area.
The DETR's reasons for setting up the network domain specialist is to attempt to leverage the activities of these networks, all of which are intended to focus on the key technologies most likely to drive change in the construction industry. In this way, DETR hopes to use its influence to help individuals and organisations get more out of their efforts in this specific technology area. Further, through facilitating communications within and outside the network, it is hoped to raise the level of awareness and understanding of current and future developments, not only between individuals in the network but also within DETR and other key industry communities. This, it is hoped, will help the DETR improve the effectiveness and focus of its own programme, and also provide opportunities for those in the network to influence other members of the construction community.
The network is intended to comprise an informal grouping of experts and committees working in the area of objects and integration. The network will bring together both academic and commercial interests and will be facilitated by an individual (Robert Amor of the BRE). Robert's role will be to act as a focal point of the network and to work to promote and support the network through the collation and sharing of information and opportunities. Robert will also undertake work, steered by the network members, so as to develop viewpoints on how the technologies are developing within the domain in order to influence DETR strategy and input to the wider DETR research programme.
The domain specialist's role is to be piloted for a limited period to test its effectiveness at achieving its intended objectives (see below) and will be reviewed at the end of the first 12 months. DETR do not wish to set up any kind of formal organisation for this purpose, but wish it to remain low key, and operate much as the current Partners in Technology projects do. The facilities of members of DETR's research community will be used wherever possible for any publicity events or workshops in the technology area, keeping input from the network members to a minimum.
Membership of the network will be open to anyone with an interest in the area.
The network title of Objects and Integration is very general, and a fuller definition of the areas to be covered by this network is currently being detailed. It will cover at least the areas specified below:
As previously stated, the network will not be a formal organisation and so will try to limit stand-alone meetings of the network as a whole. Instead, meetings piggy-backed on those of other organisations and projects will be used to access subsets of the network. The majority of the communications of the network will be undertaken through electronic (or paper) means in terms of a WWW site containing all communications and reports as well as discussion space. The network facilitator will attend various organisation meetings to explain the network, as well as to obtain feedback and expert advice on issues and strategy for the DETR. The network facilitator will also plan to visit relevant DETR funded project meetings, major commercial institutes working in the area, institutes with relevant programmes, and individuals with relevant expertise.
The benefits that you will gain from the network fall into four main areas:
As a participant in the network, we will provide you with extra publicity for the projects that you are working on and developing. DETR is currently preparing to raise the level of communications on its programme through a variety of means. Network members will be able to take advantage of this, thereby raising the profile of their project’s aims, its participants, and the tools and models being developed. The network will also help to publicise intended projects, where requested, to enable contacts to be made with potential collaborators (e.g., industry partners) and thereby widen the network further. Publicity will come through inclusion in DETR sponsored publications and newsletters, the network web site, and presentations at seminars and other meetings.
As a participant in the network you will have access to a large range of information about this domain and its trajectory. Part of this knowledge will encompass DETR policy and the reasoning and imperatives behind policy. This should be of use for the development of funding proposals for PiT and other sources. The network will aim to make all participants aware of what exists in the domain already and how to get to it. To help achieve this aim the network will provide a permanent repository of valuable information from completed projects.
As the network grows and draws in more members the breadth of information it will contain will be very comprehensive for this domain. It is envisaged that the co-ordinator of the domain network will provide information services to those accessing the network. This should include help in locating information about projects including models developed in projects and their scope, whether models have ever been developed for specific areas, the tools used or developed in the course of a project, and organisations interested in projects in particular areas. The co-ordinator will be able to provide information on current DETR strategy in the domain, how that interacts with other domains (e.g., process) and further contacts for more information.
The network will enhance communications in this domain. It will open up a line of communication between DETR and members of the network. This will allow an independent promotion of the network’s ideas to DETR and into their strategy, as well as providing an industry voice to comment on existing strategy. The network will seek to develop consensus views, where appropriate, and ensure that major issues are fully understood by DETR and the industry. To help promote the regard DETR holds for their networks they will publicise the domain networks and their workings later in this calendar year.
It is worthwhile setting out what we see as the objectives of the domain specialist and network. These are as follows:
It is the facilitator's wish to keep the input required from network members at a low level. This will be achieved through the facilitator undertaking the majority of the report writing required. It is expected that as a network member you will play two roles. One will be to steer the work of the network facilitator in passing through comments and views on DETR strategy reports, and the network’s reports to the DETR. The second will be contributing information about your projects and research, and that of other individuals working in areas covered by the network. It is expected that a much smaller group in the network will undertake to provide draft reports on various areas requested by the DETR, as well as providing input to reports for strategic planning or detailing future directions and new areas arising in the domain.
The initial work plan for 1997 is envisaged to cover the following points:
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