One-day Technical Workshop on Introduction to GIS and Primavera Software

A one-day technical workshop was held at the National Institute of Technology, Goa on 8 November 2025, organized by the Civil Engineering Student Council (CESCO). The workshop focused on two major areas of technical competency relevant to civil engineering: Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Primavera software.

Morning Session – Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
The morning session from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. was conducted by Dr. Gaurav Patel, Assistant Professor, NIT Goa. The session introduced GIS as a computer-based system used for capturing, storing, analyzing and displaying spatial data linked to geographic locations. Students gained clarity on concepts such as geographic and projected coordinate systems, grid systems and map layering.

The session further distinguished between vector and raster data formats and emphasized the role of shapefiles in GIS applications. Students also received practical exposure through demonstrations that included downloading datasets from official sources, creating shapefiles using Google Earth and ArcGIS and applying geo-referencing techniques for real-world data alignment. Additional exercises included study map development and basic raster analysis, illustrating applications of GIS in urban planning, surveying, environmental monitoring and infrastructural development.

Afternoon Session – Introduction to Primavera
The afternoon session from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. was led by Dr. Sathishraj Mani from the Civil Engineering faculty. This session focused on Primavera as a widely used project management software for planning, scheduling and coordinating construction activities. The workshop demonstrated how Primavera supports project planning, task structuring, resource allocation, time management and delay prediction.

Participants were introduced to project scheduling networks, task sequencing, the critical path method, work breakdown structures and systematic project reporting. The session highlighted how Primavera plays a vital role in large-scale construction management, reinforcing its practical significance for civil engineers.

Conclusion
The workshop enabled participants to develop conceptual understanding and practical familiarity with both GIS and Primavera. Together, the two sessions strengthened students’ technical competence and prepared them for contemporary professional practices in the civil engineering discipline.