Dynamic Agent-Based Simulation of Information Transfer in Collaborative Project Network

The efficiency and effectiveness of information transfer in collaborative project networks directly affect successful delivery of collaborative projects, especially large-scale construction projects. However, current research seldom explored the information transfer mechanism in collaborative project networks in a dynamic fashion. The purpose of this study is to investigate the dynamic information transfer mechanism in collaborative project networks. An agent-based model is established and programmed in NetLogo, which simulates dynamic information transfer processes of collaborative project networks. The key part of the model is the rules system that includes three aspects: the rules of information dissemination, rules of information absorption, and rules of efficiency and effectiveness evaluation of information transfer. The case study of a typical collaborative project is conducted to perform the model. The simulation results show that the model can present dynamic processes of information transfer in collaborative project networks. Based on the model, strategies of network structure adjustments can be proposed to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of information transfer in future research.