The introduction
Since I only updated the portfolio towards the end of the happy ending of my love-hate relationship, let me just sum up the whole journey in a post.
Curious about who am I having a love-hate relationship with?
No. Not with a guy. and NOT with a girl either! :D
So.
Let me introduce you to my baby named Big Data. Say hello everyone!
How can I end up in a love-hate relationship with big data? I "met" big data on the internet once when I googled on the issues in the construction industry in February but it didn't catch my interest. However, we "met" again through my supervisor, Dr. Shamsulhadi who asked me to "get to know" big data better. And along the way of our "introductory session", I began to gain interest in big data and how it may bring differences towards my world (construction industry). And with that, our relationship begins!
Before moving to the bigger step, I first need to convince the Undergraduate project panels to approve big data as my title.
Wait. Did I tell you what big data is all about? Okay. Big data basically is a data, an explosion of data that is growing from time to time. Do you know where does this voluminous data come from? It's from YOU. How? Look at what you are looking right now. Your laptop, your smartphones, iPhone, Samsung, eww :p and all of the emerging technologies in this digital age, there are all generate data. Still can't relate? Look at below figure;
Now you can relate how you are the one who is responsible to the data explosion right? However, big data does not necessarily just depends on its volume. Basically, big data will be known through the 3Vs concept which is (1) Volume (which I've explained), (2) Variety and (3) Velocity. This 3Vs concept is actually initiated by Laney Doug, an analyst from Gartner IT that define big data as 'Big data is high-volume, high-velocity and/or high-variety information assets that demand cost-effective, innovative forms of information processing that enable enhanced insight, decision making, and process automation'. Variety here means the various sources from which the data came from. As can be seen in above figure, the data may come from documents, transaction logs, videos, photos or even any information you put on your social media. Next, velocity is the speed of the data generated. A simple example would be if you want to know about something, where do you find it? Yes. From Google. How fast can you get the information? Right away! But of course, it must be supported by the internet.
So now that you know a little bit what big data is about, how does it relate to the construction industry?
Data involved in the construction industry actually meet the 3Vs concept of the big data. How? I sum up in the table below;
From that, the widespread utilization of these data or big data would give more value that we could ever imagine. However, there is a limited study made on the potential application of big data particularly in the construction industry hence my title goes "AN APPRAISAL INTO THE POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF BIG DATA IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY".
To be continued.
XoXo, A
Sweet Memories
There are two sweet memories I had with big data.
First is my title is being shortlisted to represent my faculty/department for the 10th RICS-RISM International Surveying Conference for Undergraduate that should be held in USM Penang (I've been excited that I can jalan-jalan in Penang) but it is canceled due to the GE14. But, it's okay, the future of Malaysia is wayyy more important. But the competition is still on its just that the presentation will be in a video form. I haven't done it yet. Will upload it here once I'm done. Anyways, I feel so honored to at least has something to contribute to the University or QS Department (if I win an award). So yeah such a good end and memories for my studies year.
Secondly, my paper is being published in International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability (IJBES). Thanks to my supervisor for his guidance. This so far is the best achievement I've ever achieved in my whole life. I wish my late dad know about this and proud!
You can find my paper in here;
or in my next post - my baby(articles)!
Btw, I never thought that I would have my name as a citation. :D I hope my write up would be beneficial to anyone who read it!
XoXo, A
The beginning
3rd October 2017
This is the day that decides whether "my relationship" with big data is approved or not. I was so nervous but Alhamdulillah, the PSM panels accepted my title! Yay!
So, here begins the real journey. For the first semester, I only have to submit Chapter 1 until 3 which is (1) Introduction, (2) Literature Review (the toughest part) and (3) Research Methodology.
For the introduction, I do not have much to write as I already wrote it for my proposal. But, the tough part is on the literature review. Oh before that, my objective for this thesis is;
(1) To analyse the current extent of big data research in the construction industry
(2) To map out the orientation of big data research in the construction industry
(3) To identify the potential application of big data in the construction industry.
To achieve these objectives, I'm using a qualitative research technique where for the first two objectives, It'll be through a desk study with the assist of NVivo software. And the findings I made from the NVivo software, I use it as the basis for my interview session with the industry personnel that has the knowledge or experience on big data and thus identify the potential application.
Now, why I said that my literature review is the toughest one? Look at my objective 1 and 2. For these two objectives, I need to review as many journals or articles or books or electronic article that I can find regarding big data in the construction industry. I should mention that I AM NOT a bookworm but for this thesis, I need to be one. This reminds me a lot of my late dad on how he always ask me to read a lot. And I never follow what he said. And now that I need to read A LOT, somehow it made me regret not developing this habit from the moment my late dad encouraged me. But Alhamdulillah, I manage to get it done satisfactorily. (Hope my SV and second reader satisfy with it too :p) Below are my findings of SOME OF the application of big data in the construction industry from various literature;
From this table, I'll be using NVivo software to assist me in mapping out the orientation of big data in the construction industry. Will upload the results in the next post!
After completing and submitting the LKP (Laporan Kemajuan Penyelidikan) on ? that comprises of Chapter 1-3, comes VIVA 1! VIVA 1 is where I need to defend my title and Alhamdulillah it went well and I'm so relieved! You can tell by my reaction below after I'm done with VIVA 1.
Will I be this HAPPY for VIVA 2? Hurmm
XoXo, A
The climate
So, new semester, new hope, same old relationship with big data :D
For this semester, my last and final semester (hopefully), I am focusing on my data analysis. As promised, here are my findings obtained from NVivo software.
This figure is obtained through the "Word frequency" function in NVivo software. Through the table exported into the software, it counted the frequency of the most mentioned word thus the orientation of big data in the construction industry is mapped out. Below are the top 5 most mentioned area of big data research in the construction industry and its detail;
From the findings, I use it for the interview to validate it as well as seeking suggestions on the potential application. The results of the interview for the potential application are as follows;
From this, I relate it back to the theoretical findings I made to see the pattern/relationship. And the result goes as;
From this, it can be seen that the theoretical findings which put construction project management as the direction of big data in the construction industry tally with the opinion from the industry personnel. As big data is set to influence the industry, the research findings (hopefully) would be a catalyst for creating an awareness to support the development of big data for the construction industry.
I also suggested future research would be towards the readiness and challenges that need to be faced in adopting big data. As from the interview session, some of the respondents did mention on some of the challenges such as budget, knowledge, and skill. Maybe, future researchers/my junior could proceed in expanding the research on that.
The completion of my chapter 5 marks the completion of my thesis. LAP (Laporan Akhir Penyelidikan) has also been submitted on 14th May 2018. And guess what? Tomorrow (24th May 2018) is the "judgment day" to decide whether I could graduate or not. :S May Allah ease everything. Amin.
XoXo, A