Process modelling for managing digitalised information exchanges in construction inspections and quality checks

Abstract

Processes of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry are known to be characterised by a high level of complexity in terms of activities and involved actors, which requires a consistent exchange of information through each phase of a project life cycle. A digital transition applied to information modelling and management may support the optimisation of such processes. To overcome the traditional paper-based and document-centric approach, the so-called Common Data Environment (CDE) has been introduced and its adoption through the project life cycle is now regulated by ISO 19650. A CDE is a platform, whose purpose is to collect, manage and disseminate sets of information through a managed, interoperable and collaborative process. The fullest adoption of CDEs requires a methodological change towards data-based information exchanges. As a preliminary step to such a goal, the formalisation of procedures by process mapping and modelling can allow a more coherent management of use cases and related information exchanges. With a focus on the construction stage, the formalisation of inspection procedures is proposed through the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN 2.0) format. Quality checks are taken into account in relation to the supply and installation of an External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS). Quality control inspections and related activities are analysed and discussed within the framework of public works. An open source BPMN modeller and its workflow engine have been adopted. The result is a process model that (1) represents the complexity of managing information exchanges in such a scenario; (2) can be used as a basis for the development of a CDE where all the information is shared and accessible to the various actors of the construction process; (3) automatically feed, as a future work, an inspection management support system.