Use of workflow-patterns for process modeling in the building industry

Abstract

In contrast to the predefined and static processes in most industries, the design and construction processes in the building industry are extremely dynamic. Technical conflicts and modified design goals lead to ad-hoc changes within the workflow. They are no exception but usual. Therefore, common principles must be established throughout the construction industry, that allow to flexibly combining engineerillg and construction services. New members must be able to joill alld leave the project consortiun on demand. The need to rapidly establish new organisational structures and effectively manage these virtual organisations places high demands on the methods used for modelling the processes. Consequentially, there is a need for an overall model framework representing the different design, construction and management processes that integrate specialized process- and building-models used for different domains. © 2004 by Springer Science+Business Media New York.