An automated partnering monitoring system—Partnering Temperature Index

Partnering has become an important approach for construction project management and there exists a wide range of tools to facilitate the implementation of partnering in construction projects. However, there is a lack of attention in terms of the assessment of partnering efforts. Appropriate actions can be taken if there is a systematic approach to monitor the status of partnering performance. In this connection, a Partnering Temperature Index (PTI) to measure the partnering status is proposed. By making use of the Internet technology and database, PTI can be monitored on-line, hence saving much time and expense if collection and retrieval of data are performed manually. As such, an Internet based automated partnering monitoring tool, named the Partnering Temperature Index Automation Suite is developed. The Internet based PTI Automation Suite enables data input by the project participants at any time and place and the project administrator can perform data analysis on-line. Graphical presentations of data are also built in to assist management to identify problem areas. The PTI Automation Suite can be extended to incorporate other key performance indicators to serve as a total project management tool.