A drawing version control system for the Japanese construction industry

摘要

A unique relationship among architects, engineers and general contractors characterizes the Japanese construction industry. General contractors provide coordination for all of the subcontractors working on a particular job, and they are responsible for building quality, safety, and cost control. In this paper we discuss issues surrounding the management of drawings in the Japanese construction industry, highlighting how our Building Data Management System provides improved drawing version control and information management. Our research focuses on information control during construction with specific emphasis on the management of drawings. The drawing version control system we have developed enables users to manage drawings easily and retrieve important information quickly. The system can trace the history of drawings and the relationship between them. The concept of concurrent engineering using this system and other technical matters are discussed. Feedback from test users of BDMS is also introduced and examined.