| description abstract | As we move further into a technological era, civil engineering firms are getting more and more involved with computerized supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) projects for water distribution systems, pipeline monitoring and freeway operations. A large number of computerized SCADA projects have failed to perform their requirements, and have incurred massive cost overrun due to factors such as a lack of project management guidelines, insuficient funding, unskilled personnel, incomplete design and documentation, hiring contractors without engineering design experience and underbidding by the contractors. Suggested solutions to these problems include familiarity with industrial processes, a qualified engineering team, system‐requirement studies, well‐designed construction documents, proper design of the communication link, efficient usage of application software, retaining the same engineering team through project completion, development of standards and guidelines. Civil engineers working with control engineers can resolve the current problems of computerized control projects so that U.S. companies can regain their dominance before the start of the 21st century. | |
