However, due to the sector size, reach and uncontrollable evolution over time, the construction sector suffers from "a lack of ethics; a lack of data and information; fragmentation; and bureaucratic delays". The adoption of IT is inconsistent and dependent solely upon individual proponent inclination, education and means. One specific body or organisation needs to represent the entire sector and therefore help guide it through the web of information, data and the anticipated required changes.

Thus, the government of Malaysia has mandated SIRIM Berhad to formulate an IT Strategic Plan that provides guidelines, proposals and recommendations for National Policy Makers, Construction Professional Bodies, Institutions of Higher Learning and Construction Enterprises.

Inputs and data were gathered from workshops, a pilot survey, semi-structured interviews and an extensive literature survey to investigate the contemporary usage, initiatives, benefits, problems and applications of IT in the construction sector.

This paper summarizes the recommendations and action plans pertaining to the IT Strategy Plan for the Malaysian construction sector. The IT Strategy Plan is divided into four segments: Industry Vision and Directions, Industry Objectives, Strategic Thrust and Industry Issues, and Implementation. Six thrust components are identified for the plan: Approach, Learning Culture, Soft Infrastructure, Knowledge Management, Integration and Globalization.

The proposed IT Strategy Plan will provide the construction sector with an IT Road Map for moving ahead and also complement what it is sorely lacking, which is a clear direction. With the adoption of such a strategy along with the inclusiveness of all construction sector players, it is believed that the sector will buy into such an approach and embrace the changes proposed. This strategy is proposed through the adoption of IT and with the overall ambition of where the sector should actually be, that is:

"To be an Innovative, Productive and a Globally Ready, Knowledge-based Sector"

1

Bank Negara Malaysia Annual Report 2004, http://www.bnm.gov.my

2

Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Market Watch 2005 Construction Industry in Malaysia, http://www.mgcc.com.my

3

Construction Industry Master Plan (Ref CI_MaP 21.1): First Decade of the New Millenium, 2000-2010, CIDB, Apr 2000.

4

IT Strategy Plan for Construction Sector, Proceedings Vol. 2, 18-21 February 2004, International Conference on Construction IT 2004 (INCITE 2004), Langkawi, Malaysia

5

Formulating an IT Strategic Plan For Malaysian Construction Sector, Proceedings Vol. 2, 2-7 May 2004, World Building Congress 2004 in Toronto, Canada

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