Zu, F. and Zhang, X. (2026) Streamline the information phase of the value engineering workshop through a web-based platform integrating BIM and GIS. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 33(5), pp. 4149-4180. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – The traditional information phase of value engineering (VE) workshops often involves face-to-face meetings and physical site visits, which can be time-consuming, costly and impractical due to various constraints. This paper introduces a web-based platform integrating BIM and GIS to streamline this phase by systematically gathering, processing and visualizing multi-format information in a virtual environment. Design/methodology/approach – A comprehensive literature review was conducted to analyze the potential of BIM and GIS integration in the VE context. A three-step information structure generation method was employed to outline the information gathering needs during the VE workshops, incorporating a review of multi-source references. A framework including information gathering, processing and visualization was proposed to streamline the information phase with BIM and GIS integration as the core. Subsequently, a web-based prototype platform was developed utilizing the three-layer architecture, with the case study to demonstrate its application. A comprehensive evaluation involving black box testing, user interface testing and focus group discussion was conducted to validate the functionality, usability, potential and limitations. Findings – The platform can support the systematic collection, processing, organization and visualization of multi-format information during the information phase, enable virtual meetings and virtual site visits and facilitate VE participants' review, understanding and analysis of such information and the documentation of their comments and suggestions. The black box testing validated its functionality, with necessity, effectiveness and convenience confirmed by VE practitioners. Its potential was approved due to clear information structure, web-based virtual review and logical multi-format information organization. Originality/value – The generalized four-category information structure and proposed three-layer framework streamline the information phase of VE practices. The developed platform allows the VE team to review multi-format information virtually, simultaneously, freely and as many times as necessary.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | BIM and GIS integration; value engineering; virtual meeting; web-based platform |
| Index terms: | documentation, face, platform, integration, user interface, practitioner, workshop, prototype, visualization, effectiveness, focus group, functionality, virtual environment, literature review, case study, value engineering, methodology, testing, usability |
| Subjects: | design practice, professional development, practitioner, psychology, professional practice, construction type, virtual reality, performance management, data collection methods, modelling and simulation, value management, data analysis and analytics, organizational analysis, user-centered design, design features, research methods, digital design, human-computer interaction |
| Topics: | Construction Technology, Engineering Principles, Design Practice, Organizational Design, Cost Management, Quality Management, Information Management, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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