Towards a workflow-driven multi-model BIM collaboration platform

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) based way of work leads to increased data complexity in early phases of construction project and to higher effort in managing collaboration. In this context, techniques and methodologies have to be developed to support the participants in collaboration process. One technique is the integration of a workflow management system in a collaboration platform handling the data in an automatic way. This can be done if two approaches, the data exchange of an Industrial Foundation Classes (IFC) data model and a multi-model containing several data models also addressing non-IFC information, for collaboration in building industry are combined to form a multimodel BIM collaboration platform. The collaboration platform can be used to integrate and check relevant data models, which will be utilized by a workflow engine in a second step. This allows a very flexible and partly automated data and work management and facilitates the work of participants.