Data Management

Question 1

What is Data?

Answer 1

Information, especially facts or numbers, collected to be examined, considered and used to help decision-making, or information in an electronic form that can be stored and used by a computer.

Question 2

How is data collected, analysed and stored within your employer’s organisation?

Answer 2

Collected through: emails, internal and external benchmarking (BCIS) , live and completed projects, market research.

Analysed through: normalisation, benchmarking against other schemes

Stored: on cloud based systems, teams sites, Cost clarity

Question 3

How is project information is stored within your employer’s organisation?

Answer 3

Stored on a cloud based system, often password protected if the information is confidential or sensitive so required by GDPR.

Information, and messages can be transferred using encryption software through Microsoft and similar.

Question 4

How do electronic database systems work

Answer 4

Electronic database systems such as BCIS.

They are a searchable electronic collection of resources and work to facilitate the storage, retrieval and modification of inputted data allowing for rapid search and retrieval.

Question 5

The use of computerised central project databases; the benefits challenges and dangers

Answer 5

what is it?
A Database which is located and stored in a single location

Benefits;

• speeds up the communication within an organisation as all information is held in a central data base that all can access.
• there is a higher level of transparency as in theory any team member can access any information at any point in time.
• it can make locating information and delegating tasks much quicker

Drawbacks;

• an organisation becomes dependant on the database so if any IT or similar issues occur this could make project delivery difficult.
• central databases can occur high costs for a small organisation.

Question 6

The use of building information modelling; the benefits challenges and dangers

Answer 6

Benefits;

• enables better planning and design as you can visualise all elements prior to construction commencing.
• allows early design changes and ‘clash detection’ to highlight any issues early on.
• lifetime information to the end user.

Drawbacks;

• modelling, training and staff costs. It can be very costly to set up this software and employ or train staff members to use it effectively.
• requires trust and collaboration from the outset and a cultural change in the industry.
• requires early client engagement through all levels inclusive of the end users.

Question 7

How are technical libraries set up and used

Answer 7

Technical libraries are set up through a person or organisation gathering data, key information and reference books and journals into a central location for access across a team or organisation. Technical libraries are often managed by a central person and can be accessed generally through username and password.

Question 8

What is GDPR?

Answer 8

The general data protection regulations.

A regulation in EU law that promotes privacy and protection in the EU. It addresses transfer of personal data outside the EU.

Question 9

What is the data protection act 2018?

Answer 9

This is the act that implements GDPR in the UK.

Relates to the protection of personal data and came into force in May 18.