NEXT GENERATION KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

SUMMARY We have for a few decades been changing paradigm with regard to information handling. The traditional paper based information storage and presentation medium is substituted and complemented with digital storage accessible for reading and updating at optional time and place. Digital models of our reality and also non-physical objects are accessed from adapted and advanced user environments (UE). The paper explains potentials of new advanced ICT and discusses how these tools will support and influence the building process models and its organisation. Recommendations are given on how we can handle and meaningfully contribute to the ongoing change process. Important advances in ICT tools development such as semantic web and temporal databases are explained and related to increased quality and change of the building process. It is stated that ICT must not be regarded as one of these tools that we only have to learn to use but as an integral part of the company and project knowledge management system. The formulation and refinement of digital models of the building process must be driven by the end users preferably in collaboration between industry and university.