A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1994

The contemporary world of engineering is a highly competitive world and as we enter the 21st century, we can expect more acute competition for resources and technology. In order to survive this global competition, it becomes necessary to utilize Information Technology (IT) in strategic planning particularly in the construction industry - the industry responsible for laying the structural framework and support for massive and rapid economic and social development of nations. The Philippines is not an exception to this process. The thrust of this thesis is to increase the competitiveness of a small engineering consultancy firm in the Philippines. Small and medium engineering enterprises must be given opportunities to compete as their greater participation in development will redound to the benefit of the large portion of the population. To a certain extent, this thesis advocates shaping the competitive edge of a small engineering firm as the example used and in fact, suggests a new concept as "grassroots engineering" through the use of IT in strategic planning. There is no doubt that with the strategic use of IT, firms similarly situated could better compete and expand their small markets vis-a-vis bigger firms. Therefore with IT, they can increase their volume of sales and promote even more quality