A matrix to indicate the utility of technologies

Stephen Fox

Construction Management and Economics, 2003, vol. 21, issue 2, 187-196

Abstract: The development and performance of buildings and building components can be improved through better use of technology. However, identifying appropriate technologies can become more difficult as more options become available. Detailed descriptions of alternative technologies can be difficult to compare with each other. Yet, more superficial descriptions can be misleading and result in unnecessarily limited adoption of technologies. In other industries, simple diagrammatic tools such as matrices have proven to be an effective method of indicating the utility of technologies. These show the relevance of specific technologies to different types of products and product components. This paper proposes a matrix to indicate the relevance of technologies to different types of buildings and building components. First, the purpose of the technology matrix (TM) is defined. Then, the conceptual framework of the TM is explained. Next, factors to be considered when assessing the utility of technologies are described. Having introduced the TM, some illustrative examples are provided. These show that there are few technologies that can improve the development and performance of all buildings and building components. In many cases, there are barriers to feasibility, viability and/or practicability that need to be represented. In conclusion, guidelines for successful introduction of the TM are discussed.

Keywords: Feasibility; Matrix; Practic ability; Technology; Viability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2003
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DOI: 10.1080/0144619032000079725

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