Information classification for civil engineering projects by uniclass

Kang, L S and Paulson, B C (2000) Information classification for civil engineering projects by uniclass. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 126(2), pp. 158-167. ISSN 0733-9364

Abstract

Since a well-established construction information classification system (CICS) can be an information center through the life cycle of a project, it is important to use a proper CICS for managing construction information. Construction Index/Samarbetskommitten for Byggnadsfragor (CI/SfB) has been used in various countries as one of the best among the earlier CICSs as well as Masterformat in North America. CI/SfB, however, cannot represent many new construction technologies introduced during the 20 years that have passed since the last revision. Therefore, ISO developed a new CICS framework. Subsequently, the Construction Project Information Committee, including the Institution of Civil Engineers, developed the Uniclass system based on the ISO framework. Considering that Uniclass is intended to substitute for CI/SfB and that each country needs international exchange of information by the ISO standard, it is necessary to analyze the organization of Uniclass. This study analyzed the practical adaptability of Uniclass compared to CI/SfB and then suggested applicable illustrations with appropriate methodologies to improve the adaptability for civil engineering works. As a result, items classified in Uniclass gained a significant improvement for civil engineering projects compared to the existing CICSs, which have focused on architectural projects. The proposed methodologies will make the applicability of the CICS better by the improved scheme and by being consistent.

Item Type: Article
Index terms: life cycle, ISO, construction technology, civil engineer, adaptability, methodology, construction project
Subjects: research methods, digital engineering, production management, standards development, value management, profession, user focus
Topics: Design Practice, Project Management, Quality Management, Research Practice, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications
Descriptive scope: 3 PCT

N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here