Last month’s update regarding the United Construction IT umbrella group has been quickly followed by an announcement from two of the UK organisations involved: the Construction Industry Computing Association (CICA) and its parent, the NCC.
According to NCC’s Michael Gough, there has been:
“a complete rethink of CICA’s offering and business model to ensure that we continue to remain clearly aligned with supporting our members’ needs and also at the forefront of the industry in driving value through the effective deployment of ICT”
A “new look CICA” is to be launched shortly, following some key changes, which, according to CICA chairman Roy Harper, include:
- A complete overhaul of the business model to align CICA with the needs of its membership and the wider industry
- A clearly defined suite of products and services.
- A more transparent membership level structure.
- A modern, yet subtle redesign of the CICA branding [the second in the space of two years].
- The establishment of a new cross-disciplinary CICA Forum open to Premium level members.
- A series of peer to peer networking Intra-Disciplinary Workshop events open to the whole membership and other invited guests (the first, on EDMS/EDRMS, will be on 20 June; the second, on Legal Requirements and Impact on AEC Sector ICT, will be on 7 November – both in London venues, to be announced).
I suppose I should be pleased, but, as I discussed more than a year ago (see Long overdue CICA changes, 24 February 2006), there is too much overlap between the various IT organisations and some rationalisation (as well as what Roy Harper refers to as the three R’s: reposition, refocus and rejuvenate) is needed – which is why I welcomed the United Construction IT initiative.
(As an aside, the reference material on the CICA website – particularly its guidance notes and case studies on ‘extranets’ – is still badly in need of an update (see 12 April 2006 post) – perhaps Roy should add a fourth R: refresh?)
