For efficient performing
of designing related activities for large construction projects, the development of
master data tables along with appropriate “Fields” s in design function is very
crucial.
The “Fields” in such tables are selected by
designers but configured with help of IT/ERP consultants while designing the
overall systems for the organization.
The master data tables need to be configured within
the ERP systems (like SAP) or and “Designing software” as appropriate, by
whatever name so-called in the “Designing software”
What is “Field”
The master data tables contain “Fields” which
carry important information such as below:
· Drawings and
technical specifications including that of BOQ -unique for each design works
package like structure, architecture, Interior design package, MEP
· Scope of work -
Line items- unique for each design works package like structure, architecture,
façade, etc.
And many more
This blog highlights
activities to develop master data tables & few illustrations of master data
tables as below.
Activities to develop Master
data tables:
Usually, 5 activities must be performed to
develop master data tables as below.
1 Identify the key “Master Data Tables”
names that need to be developed based on functional requirements
2.
Assign a unique number to each identified master data table
3. Identify the “fields” as relevant
for each Master data table
4. Identify the “field codes”
applicable for these tables for digitalization
5. Design and Populate
the contents of master data tables having columns as proposed below
Col 2. Master
table’s proposed name
Col 3. Proposed
table number
Col 4. “Field”
name/description
Col 5. “Field”
code
Col 6. “Field”
value (as applicable)
Active brainstorming is needed among designers
(Architects, Interior, and MEP Designers)
and the IT and systems team, Project functions, and other interfacing functions for
designing the contents of respective master data tables. This is because “Field”, though designed by a specific
function, is often used by all functions, besides design functions such as construction
project functions and commercial functions (as shown below) for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of activities.
i) Fields directly applicable to Construction
Project functions
· Land
buying & Selling =16
· Designing of Architecture of buildings =27
· Designing of Interior of buildings=23
· Designing MEP & Engineering services=59
· Appointing
Project Consultants & Contractors=50
· Construction
of Buildings=50
· Green Building Certification=7
· Quantity
Survey (QS) & Measurement=37
· Project Material Management=35
· Project
Quality Management=55
· Legal
& Secretarial=9
· Project
Completion=15
· Selling
of Constructed Areas=45
Sub-total-Project
functions=428
(Listed in annex 1F,1G of handbook named
below)
ii) “Fields” applicable to all functions =98
(Listed in
annex 1A of handbook named below)
(e.g. company
type, name & code, category of Project name, location and code, employee
name, code etc)
iii) “Fields” directly applicable to Management
functions
·
Finance & accounts=50,
·
corporate services=25,
·
Legal
& secretarial =16,
·
IT/Systems=16
(Listed in
annex 1B of the handbook named below)
iv) “Fields”
directly applicable in Human resource=29, Administration=14
(Listed in
annex 1C of handbook named below)
Total number of “Fields” applicable in functions =676
The number of “fields” above are just
illustrations and can run into hundreds. “Fields” can be planned and increased by Architect,
Interior, and MEP designers as required as per the size of organisation, number of
projects, and complexity of the projects
6 Illustration
of developing master data tables and “Fields”
A few
illustrations of the contents of Mater data tables in three design functions
are as below along with a few identified “fields”:
Name
Design Function |
Master
data table name |
“Field”
name |
“Field”
Value @ |
Architecture |
1 Drawings/specification
master-Packages in Civil works
|
Drawings and
technical specifications - Civil Building works package, including BOQ |
|
Drawings and
technical specifications - Facade works package |
|
||
Drawings and
technical specifications – landscape works package |
|
||
Created or
initiated by |
|
||
Date of
creation |
|
||
And
so on more “Fields” |
|
||
2 Scope of work Master -Packages in
Civil works |
Scope of work - Line items -Structure work packages |
|
|
Scope of work -
Line items - Civil Building works packages |
|
||
Scope of work -
Line items - Facade works packages |
|
||
Created or
initiated by |
|
||
Date of
creation |
|
||
And
so on more “Fields” |
|
||
And
so on more master data tables |
|
|
|
Interior
design |
1 Drawing/specification master packages in Interior Design
|
List
of Drawings and technical specifications for the scope of work, including for
BOQ -Finishing works |
|
Drawings and technical specifications
-Furnishing &fixtures |
|
||
Drawings and technical specifications –
Equipment e.g. Gym, bathroom related, etc. |
|
||
Drawings and technical specifications
-Artwork.Props etc. |
|
||
Created or initiated by |
|
||
Date of creation |
|
||
And so on more “Fields” |
|
||
2 Scope of work Master -Packages in
Interior design works
|
Scope
of work - Line items in Finishing works |
|
|
Scope of work - Line items in Furnishing and
Fixtures. |
|
||
Scope of work -
Line items in -equipment |
|
||
Scope of work - Line items in Artwork |
|
||
Created or initiated by |
|
||
Date of creation |
|
||
And so on more “Fields” |
|
||
And
so on more master data tables |
|
|
|
MEP
design |
1 Drawing &
specification master -MEP packages |
List
of Drawings and technical specifications for the scope of -including for BOQ
-External electrical works |
|
Drawings and technical specifications
-internal electrical works |
|
||
Drawings and technical specifications –
Air-conditioning &VRV works |
|
||
Created or initiated by |
|
||
Date of creation |
|
||
And so on |
|
||
2 Scope of work Master -MEP
packages
|
Scope
of work - Line items in external electrical works |
|
|
Scope of work - Line items in internal
electrical |
|
||
Scope of work -
Line items in -equipment |
|
||
Scope of work -
Line items in -Airconditioning &VRV works |
|
||
Created or
initiated by |
|
||
Date of
creation |
|
||
And
so on more “Fields” |
|
||
And
so on more master data tables |
|
|
Note: @ indicates
that the “Field” values need to be populated by the respective Architect, Interior, and MEP designer and are variable.
Activities
that can adversely impact business.
· Inappropriate selection
of “Fields” in the Master Data Table or and having overcrowding of “Fields”
making retrieval of required information difficult
·
Inappropriate populating Master data tables in three design
functions inaccurately vis-à-vis applicable “Fields” and their Values *
·
Authorised designers, colluding and making circular changes in “Field”
values in the Master Data Tables and after executing transactions /performing
design, restoring original “Field” description values. *
·
Simultaneously, disabling of the audit trails by a designer to suppress
the circular changes from the management or auditors or statutory authorities
and providing undue benefit to the business associate or team member. *
·
Not updating master data tables online as and when changes occur
in specifications or scope of work vis a vis various “Fields” or addition/deletion
of various “Fields” takes place.
·
Inappropriate authorisation of master data table and the “Fields” therein.
·
Not implementing the SOD-Segregation of duty concept for approving
master data tables.
In the above-listed activities, that are marked* reflect activities
that can also have adverse statutory implications.
You can read more about the 15
activities (@5/function) that can adversely impact business as summarised above
from chapter 6 (and annex numbers mentioned above) of the author’s handbook ETHICS
in the real estate and hospitality industry, Volume 1- Architectural, Interior
design, and MEP services “