Visual Representations for Monitoring Project Performance: Developing Novel Prototypes for Improved Communication

Abstract

Maintaining project control demands construction project managers navigate the discrepancies between target and actual performance—a specific challenge for large-scale construction projects that generate large amounts of ever-changing data. Project managers often use visual representations of data to make better-informed decisions; however, current approaches often fail to manifest the multifaceted considerations that render a successful project. Better visual representation tools would streamline communication and improve project efficiency. Applying a variety of research methods ranging from literature reviews to simulation and usability tests, this investigation’s six-step process developed four alternative visual representations prototypes for improved performance monitoring: