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Civil Engineering Information Systems Guide

Civil engineering projects utilize various information systems to facilitate management and decision making. These include general purpose systems like databases for scheduling and budgeting tasks, as well as specialized systems like Geographic Information Systems for mapping terrain and Expert Systems that provide decision support through artificial intelligence techniques. The optimal systems depend on the project's requirements, budget, and other factors. Information systems help support effective collaboration between stakeholders and clarify objectives.

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Mary Grace Borinaga
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179 views47 pages

Civil Engineering Information Systems Guide

Civil engineering projects utilize various information systems to facilitate management and decision making. These include general purpose systems like databases for scheduling and budgeting tasks, as well as specialized systems like Geographic Information Systems for mapping terrain and Expert Systems that provide decision support through artificial intelligence techniques. The optimal systems depend on the project's requirements, budget, and other factors. Information systems help support effective collaboration between stakeholders and clarify objectives.

Uploaded by

Mary Grace Borinaga
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

A Primer on Common Civil Engineering Information Systems

Digitalinformation systems with engineering


applications have been around for decades, with some
of them nearly as old as computer science itself.
The systems that are most apt for a given project will
vary according to its requirements, timeline, budget,
and many other factors.
General-Purpose Systems

Most every general information system can be


labeled a “management information system”
(MIS). Such a system processes data at a fairly
rudimentary level, providing effective insight
into day-to-day operations for individual teams.
Database Management Systems

Databases provide a uniform way of capturing


and correlating information in a machine-
readable format.
They are useful for a wide variety of tasks that
support civil engineering, such as task
scheduling, budgeting, and various human
resources-related tasks.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

 An ERP suite is a software package intended to facilitate


comprehensive strategic planning for a large
organization. It does this with custom-built modules that
provide data analysis tools for the different divisions of
the enterprise – such as sales, operations, and so on.
 Some ERP suites offer modules for 
manufacturing and project management, all highly
relevant to engineers.
Feedback Management Systems

 Most civil engineering projects have a wide variety


of internal and external stakeholders. These could
include community members, local politicians,
regulators, industry groups, regional “special
interests,” and so on.
 Soliciting and managing the feedback from these
groups can help facilitate broader community
acceptance of a project’s goals.
Document Management Systems

 Documentation provides insight into emerging


challenges and the objectives of future project
phases.
A document management system facilitates
more effective effective collaboration between
technical stakeholders, clarifying objectives and
alleviating communication issues.
Special-Purpose Systems

Most general-purpose information systems


operate at what could be called the tactical, or
management level.
Special-purpose systems, however, generally
focus on decision support and are designed to
provide clarity for complex decisions.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

 Resource extraction and conservation have both been


greatly aided by GIS technology. This software is
used for collecting, synthesizing, and visualizing
complex topographical and geological information.
 One of the most common uses of GIS is in the
mapping of terrain to plan efficient oil and gas
exploration operations. Another is the mapping and
optimization of transportation networks.
Expert Systems

Expert systems are information systems


developed using sophisticated artificial
intelligence techniques.
The purpose of an expert system is to correlate
“expert input” into a database that can be
consulted when making specific technical
decisions.
Information Systems and the Future of
Civil Engineering

 The work of civil engineers involves a massive


degree of complexity, where multiple technical,
environment, and social systems often intersect.
 In addition, they are increasingly required to develop
communications and feedback mechanisms that
allow them to access input from diverse stakeholders
and keep those people and organizations well
informed.

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