Framework for the coordinated application of two different integrated project delivery platforms

This article addresses the full integration of both drawn and written information into an automated process. The methods and processes showcased rely heavily on two types of platforms: (1) BIM applications, used for the development of design drawings; construction technical information standardization and generation protocols, to support the development of written documentation. This article expands the subject by exploring the key topics behind each type of platform and by theorizing on the ideal framework to approach a real application scenario. Additionally, it reports on a case study in which an integrated workflow is tested using examples of said platforms and thus exposing the strengths and limitations of the currently available tools. The results are then used to make a requirements analysis and a framework for this type of scenario. The authors conclude that while the platforms may not be formally compatible, they are still functionally compatible through the use of third party formats and a carefully developed framework. For the integrated project delivery (IPD) process to be able to evolve, some changes and additions are required, both structurally and in the functionalities of the applications that support it. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.