Keywords: construction management, project management, virtual reality, visualisation, product modelling, IFC.

Minimal interaction and ineffective communication between construction project partners are causing major problems in modern construction processes. This interaction and communication is required in an increasing manner but they are neither well-understood nor directly addressed in information technology oriented research and development efforts. The long-term work in VTT Building and Transport is addressing novel solutions for improved communication in construction projects with the aid of tools based on computer-based visualisation and lessons from communication processes.

The on-going work covers solutions based on the product modelling technology (IFC) where different types of visualisations are created from this shareable data source. The overall visualisation solution is called Visual Product Chronology. The term VPC encompasses visualisations over the various data and their interdependencies in the building product model. One of the first operational applications in this area are 4D tools for displaying how the progress of a construction project will look like in practice. The software brings together information from computerised 3D models and project schedules. Relating to the 4D tools VTT and Eurostepsys Ltd. have a tool that is software and hardware platform independent. This tool can produce construction progress visualisations that can be viewed in various environments, e.g. with a VRML browser, in a VR studio or with a game engine software.

VPC stems much more than visualisation of construction progress. This solution provides a source of visualisations explaining e.g. the missing specifications, incomplete designs, planned costs and actual costs. All the data can be put into context and shown together with the time span for demonstrating the needed actions and decisions.

VPC is also a concept that is showing way to take full advantage of building product modelling technology. In other words, it shall put the data captured in the building product model into practical context meeting operational needs. The objective of this paper is to provide the presentation of VPC as a way towards the practical advantages and usage of building product modelling technology. This is done together with a discussion of fundamental research and development needs in this and relating areas.

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