For some time researchers have regarded product models as the ideal future solution to the basic needs of dealing with artefacts not at hand. Despite this. usage of product models in the construction industry is still virtually non-existent, and widespread commercialisation necessitates a stage of industry- lead prototype and pilot use. This paper describes such a system and the product model used in it. The PreFacto production management system was developed in 1994-1995 for a division of Sweden's largest construction company. Skanska. As will be shown, the system uses the product model throughout the construction management process. Design specifications are extracted from a product model of a building using the STEP physical file format and stored in an object-oriented database Production management is viewed as an iterative process of defining goals, planning actions executing work (real or simulated) and monitoring the outcome. During the process of managing production the product model is manipulated and augmented using tools designed to enhance production decisions This paper argues for the usefulness of a product model with a minimum of information as the backbone of information transfer from the design stage to production and describes a planning system using this approach.

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