Development of a Multi-Agent System to Tackle Communication Fragmentation and Information Exchange in the Construction Industry

Abstract

Complexity and uncertainty are inherent attributes of large-scale construction projects, prompting fragmentation and generating challenges in communication. The segmentation of project disciplines, loss of information and lack of knowledge sharing, induced by increased fragmentation, significantly contribute to project inefficiencies and cost overruns. Within the past decade, numerous novel technologies have been integrated into project frameworks to facilitate the industry's digital advancement. Multi-agent systems (MAS) have gained prominence due to their widespread practicality in supply chain management and manufacturing engineering. With its capabilities in generating distributed knowledge networks, MAS is deemed a viable technological solution to address fragmentation-related collaboration barriers. This research aims to explore the feasibility of MAS for the development of project communication networks. The paper investigates the potential benefits and drawbacks of MAS implementation through the construction of a prototype system. The study confirms the advantage of MAS over conventional practices in mitigating the loss or stagnation of knowledge.