Advanced Process Representation for Semi-Automated Linking between Construction Schedules and IFC files

This research paper addresses the challenges in exchanging project management information within the construction industry, particularly focusing on construction schedules. The current reliance on XML or spreadsheet-based files for schedule exchange leads to information loss and misinterpretation in commonly used project management software. Diverse scheduling practices across construction companies, software preferences and organizational structures contribute to a lack of standardization. Existing data schemata for schedule description lack detailed representation of the hierarchical structure of construction processes and their dependencies, limiting automated interpretation. To fill this gap, this paper introduces a minimal ontology designed for representing construction schedules’ processes. A case study demonstrates the ontology’s application in automated schedule interpretation, emphasizing its potential for automated linking between schedules and corresponding BIM models, reducing manual efforts, and enhancing overall efficiency. It concludes by discussing its broader implications in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operation (AECO) industry.