As-Built Learning Exchange (ABLE)
Current at: 22 February 2010 (C)
| Why ABLE Was Created | Primary reference pages: |
| Who Can Use ABLE Material | Profile - James Bertram |
| How ABLE Works | Common Practice |
| What You Can Contribute |
Providing technical support led me to the realisation that sharing experiences with others is a much better way to learn what we need to know.
Social learning theorist Etienne Wenger calls this creating a "community of practice: people learning how to work smarter by exchanging their experiences with others”.
I believed that people working in the Western Australian building industry would participate in a community-of-practice if it led to the development of useful technical support and resources. This is why I created the As-Built Learning Exchange.
When I got people to sit around the table and exchange their experiences, Common Practice descriptions of practical ways to work more efficiently emerged.
I began to see building as a pass-the-parcel process. If contracting depended on handing technical descriptions from client to builder and from builder to contractor, then buyer satisfaction depended on a clear, shared, and consistent exchange of descriptions.
Technical Contracting is the system that emerged. It is the underpinning logic for the ABLE website and a way of applying common practice descriptions to improve affordability, compliance and workmanship.
James Bertram BArch (Hons)
Who Can Use ABLE Material
Electronic publication is the most affordable way to publish material. It can be continuously updated and amended, and it is most likely to be available whenever and where ever needed.
Whilst the World Wide Web (Web) is a public domain, Conditions of Use apply to all ABLE material.
Open Exchange Use rights limit use of ABLE Common Practice Resources to building professionals earning (and learning) their living in the building and construction industry in Western Australia.
Users of ABLE Common Practice Resources accept the Disclaimer (legal liabilities), Currency of Material (need to verify that material is up to date), and Privacy Policy (protection of identity) conditions.
A link to full text of the Conditions of Use is always available in the grey sidebar.
How ABLE Works
ABLE supports a community of practice.
ABLE Technical Services provides telephone support to building professionals earning their living in the building and construction industry. The underpinning common practice exchange aids individual decision-making and ensures that their experience is added to the shared body of available knowledge.
ABLE Technical Services also undertakes fee-for-service consulting, building issue investigation and training for businesses willing to participate in a common practice exchange where the outcomes of that work contribute to the ongoing development of Common Practice.
Collectively these activities help identify the local Common Practice Resources most likely to deliver affordability, compliance and performance gains.
ABLE then chooses leading suppliers, government bodies and experts-in-their-field and invites them to be recognised as Common Practice Supporters who support the development of Common Practice Resources.
As Common Practice Resources are developed they are published on the ABLE website for Open Exchange Use by building professionals in Western Australian.
What You Can Contribute
In a community of practice people learn how to work smarter by exchanging their experiences with others.
Whether you’re a designer or draftsperson, estimator or scheduler, contract administrator, construction manager, supervisor, tradesperson, supplier or contractor you belong to the industry community and are part of a community of building professionals that do what you do.
So why not contribute!
You could call and discuss that compliance or workmanship issue you are wrestling with, or give feedback on an ABLE resource you have used (or would like to have).
Maybe you have links to really useful information or you are chasing something you can’t find.
Everyone has a piece to the working smarter jigsaw puzzle – your thoughts might be that missing piece.
And if you work on-site, why not call and discuss that reoccurring product or material issue.
ABLE provides an exchange where you can share your experiences and retain your privacy.
Call or email – click Contact ABLE in the Grey Sidebar for contact details.