A notation based integration methodology for software interoperability

Interoperability of heterogeneous applications in construction management can be best achieved by using generalized and standardized representations of required data, thereby enabling faster and better management and decision making in the construction process. However, even though various solutions have been proposed in the last decades, a general approach based on a standard model is still missing. In this paper, a new integration methodology is proposed encompassing construction management phases and construction management processes. This new integration methodology allows for coherent integration of product and process information, helping to achieve the interoperability of the involved actors and tools in collaborative project environments. The essence of the developed methodology is in the consistent definition of IFC Views that pulls together the needed product, cost and management data. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group.