Moving Beyond CAD: A Systems Information Model for Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering Design

Abstract

Documentation errors have been identified as a significant problem within the construction and engineering industry. Errors contained with contract documents can contribute to loss of profit, reduced productivity, and cost and time overruns as well as contractual disputes. Research has identified that as much as 60% of variations in construction and engineering projects are a result of errors and omissions contained within poor quality documentation. Using a case study, errors, omissions and information redundancy contained in the Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I) 'As built' drawings for a Stacker Conveyor is examined. A total of 449 errors and omissions were identified within 42 documents. In addition, 231 cables and components appeared once among the 42 documents; 86cables and components appeared twice and 12 cables and components appeared three times. As a result of the errors, omissions and redundancy, requests for information (RFIs) are required. Retrospective analysis indicates that the indirect cost of raising the RFIs to the contractor was estimated to be 8.93% of the cost of the E&I contract. To address the problems of errors, omissions and redundancy, it is suggested that there is a need to adopt an object orientated system information model (SIM) for E&I engineering design and documentation. It is demonstrated in the case study that the use of a SIM could bring significant improvements in productivity and reduce the cost of engineering design.