After some investigation into the efficiency of communication between all parties involved in a typical construction project, GESS identified that communication between the four affected parties was problematic. The four affected parties are the Client, the Public, the Contractor and the Consultants.  The Construction Initiator (The Client), as an agent of the public, has a responsibility to the public in terms of the supply of information, but has no mechanisms in place to address the logistics involved in dynamically publishing up-to-date information to the public. 

The Consultants generate massive amounts of contract documentation (e.g. tender documents, construction drawings, technical data, site instructions, bending schedules, minutes of meetings, programme schedules etc.) which have to be amended and updated regularly and which have to be issued on a secure, selective and controlled basis to a number of parties (e.g. other consultants, Project Manager, Client, contractors, suppliers etc.).  The web portal solution can satisfy both these needs, because while some high level information could be made accessible to the public, detailed technical information could be made available, at the same time, to the Client, Contractors and Consultants in secure areas on the same web site.

GESS then started a Road Project Web initiative, and developed this into a system which could solve most of the communication problems identified between the affected parties.  This initiative was initially implemented for the Gauteng Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works and is now being expanded nationally.

Clients found that their web based portal soon became a powerful and essential communication and management tool on both an internal and external project level.  They furthermore reported improved public relations due to their improved ability to provide the public with relevant and up to date project information.  Several Clients found this concept enhanced communication in such a significant manner that they decided to expand the solution to encompass all high-profile projects that could attract wide public interest.

Website information can be updated from the construction site office, project manager’s office or consultants’ offices without requiring personnel skilled in web design or coding.  The design of the web portal facilitates updates by “administrator” users, using tools provided inside the web portal.