A conceptual model for supporting the integration of inter-organizational information processes of AEC projects

One of the major bottlenecks of collaborating information systems is the integration of inter-organizational information processes, which depends on shared Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Currently, most APIs are developed based on the predefined sequential steps of handling construction business documents such as RFIs and change orders, which prohibits the expansion of collaboration spaces to other expanded forms of e-business, such as handling sub-grouping, unstructured message and context information. Aiming at responding to the needs for increased levels of process mediated collaboration; this paper argues that collaboration between project stakeholders is a continuous process of communication and information exchange between collaborating partners throughout the lifecycle of a construction project, therefore, parts of an intra-organizational information process may need to be more visible to collaborating partners. Through a case study, this paper proposes a conceptual model, which integrates four major concepts, i.e., collaborating process segment information, sub-grouping information, organizational information and business document information, in order to complement to and augment the existing strategy that focuses mainly on the exchange of construction business documents. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.