WebSpec: web services and XML vocabulary for specifications in construction

A project specification is an integral part of the set of design documents that make up a construction contract. They are handed down through all phases of the project life cycle from inception to maintenance and operation and embody construction domain knowledge to an extent far greater then any other design document ( Lockley & McGregor 1998 ). Typically a project specification is prepared by several design disciplines (e.g. architects, structural engineers, HVAC engineers and electrical engineers) in collaboration. Industry fragmentation, lack of standard approaches have effected this process, but the process of writing construction specifications has in essence remained the same since the introduction of word processing applications and has not captured the attention of solution providers. Resent developments have primarily originated from members of the International Construction Information Society (ICIS) who market National Master Specification systems to the design and construction professions. Development in web-technologies and introduction of XML and related standards by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) provide opportunities for cost-effective solutions in this area of design and construction. WebSpec is an ongoing project that is a collaborative effort in the Icelandic Construction industry to establish a National Master Specification and to improve the quality of information and productivity when generating project specifications. An industry wide consortium has been established including representatives from designer, contractor, trade and manufacturer associations and clients – government and municipal. The paper gives an overview of the project, system design and architecture as well as the development of a XML Vocabulary used in establishing a National Master Specification Library and project specification authoring tools in a virtual organisational setting. It also examines broadly, industry initiatives in relation to construction specifications such as ISO, IAI IFC and bcXML.