Proposed New Method for Construction Process Modelling

Numerous modelling methods have been developed for defining aspects of industrial and other processes. Furthermore, such methods have been either used or proposed for modelling construction processes. As part of the international MoPo-project, the requirements of industrial endusers for such tools, as well as the characteristics of available methods, have been studied. In this paper an analysis of six such methods is presented. The concepts and graphical notation of each method are illustrated using a simple example of making the basement of a summerhouse with a sauna. Additionally, the concepts of each method have been modelled using a uniform methodology, the EXPRESS information modelling language. Based on the analysis a new method called GEPM (generic process modelling method) is proposed. The method is defined on the semantic level, as its main purpose would be to enable the storing of process descriptions in a database format, enabling multiple-user views to the same information. A simple prototype application has been developed to demonstrate the functionality of the method.