Method and system for directed documentation of construction projects

Abstract

Methods and systems for directed creation of construction documentation are provided. Example embodiments provide a Directed Documentation System (a “DDS”), which directs, in a computer-assisted manner, the creation of a historical record of a portion or an entire construction project. In one embodiment, the DDS comprises a directed construction data organization process/component, a directed documentation data acquisition process/component, a construction documentation data retrieval process/component, and a construction documentation data distribution process/component. These components cooperate to direct the documentation of a construction project in a manner that insures that all desired aspects of the project are documented thoroughly and uniformly. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

1 - 49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A method for computer-assisted directing of documentation of a construction project, including multi-disciplinary aspects of the construction project, comprising:
 storing in a memory of a computer system a plurality of contract document data, including data from construction drawings, construction specifications, documents indicating changes to construction, and a construction schedule for the entire construction project;   storing in the computer system memory a generated documentation schedule that takes into account the stored contract document data;   in accordance with the stored documentation schedule and the contract document data, automatically generating and publishing data acquisition instructions for a plurality of construction activities to be documented;   electronically receiving documentation data that documents each construction activity in accordance with the data acquisition instructions as a plurality of images and text; and   determining from the received documentation data current progress of each construction activity and updating the stored documentation schedule in accordance with the determined current progress of each construction activity such that subsequently generated data acquisition instructions are automatically generated in accordance with the updated documentation schedule.   
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 updating the contract document data to include received indications of construction changes such that subsequently generated data acquisition instructions are automatically generated in accordance with the updated contract documents.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the data acquisition instructions include descriptions that instruct how to document a plurality of aspects of each construction activity. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the data acquisition instructions for the plurality of construction activities to be documented further include documentation protocols that indicate further opportunities for documentation data acquisition. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 generating and storing in the computer system memory a set of project-specific terminology for use in documenting the construction project in a uniform manner; and   automatically generating and publishing the data acquisition instructions using the project-specific terminology.   
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 determining and storing in the computer system memory a set of documentation protocols and terminology for the construction project; and   automatically generating the data acquisition instructions to include a portion of the determined protocols and consistent with determined terminology so that received documentation data is uniform across the construction project.   
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 integrating the received documentation data into a plurality of retrievable images that provide historical and/or near real-time documentation of the construction project.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 verifying the received documentation data; and   integrating the verified documentation data into a plurality of retrievable images that provide documentation of the construction project.   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 57  wherein the verifying the received documentation data comprises:
 enhancing an image; and 
 modifying descriptions associated with the image as necessary to be consistent with what the image shows. 
 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 automatically generating progress payment reports that reflect progress of construction activities.   
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 59  wherein the automatically generating progress payment reports is triggered by an event scheduled in the documentation data schedule. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 at a determined time, automatically generating a report that contains documentation data that documents progress and/or aspects of the construction project.   
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 automatically integrating the received documentation data into a plurality of retrievable images that provide documentation of the construction project over a period of time;   receiving a request to retrieve and display at least one of the retrievable images based upon a construction-related selection criteria; and   displaying at least one image in response to the received request.   
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 59  wherein a plurality of images are displayed in response to the request and, further comprising:
 displaying a first one of the plurality of images and a second one of the plurality of images approximately simultaneously such that a viewer can view both images at the same time and manipulate each image independently. 
 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63  wherein the first image represents a structure of the construction project at a first time and the second image represents the structure at a second time allowing the structure to be analyzed over a time period that includes the first time and second time. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 60  wherein the first image shows a first subject of the construction project and the second image shows a second subject that is not the same as the first subject, yet the images are both associated with a same contract document. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 62 , the displayed at least one image associated with a geographical area, and, further comprising:
 displaying a linked field associated with the displayed at least one image such that, upon selection of a value of the linked field, automatically displaying at least one related image from a related geographical area that encompasses, surrounds, or is in proximity to the geographical area associated with the displayed at least one image.   
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 62 , the displayed at least one image associated with a group, and, further comprising:
 displaying a linked field associated with the displayed at least one image such that, upon selection of a value of the linked field, automatically displaying at least one related image from a related group that is associated with or is the same as the group associated with the displayed at least one image.   
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 50 , further comprising:
 integrating the received documentation data into a plurality of retrievable images that provide “as-built” documentation of the construction project, the “as-built” documentation documenting structural framing, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems constructed by the construction project.   
     
     
         69 . A computer system that facilitates computer-assisted directing of documentation of a construction project, the system comprising:
 a memory; and   a module that is stored on the memory and that is configured, when executed, to:
 store in the memory a plurality of contract document data, including data from construction drawings, construction specifications, documents indicating changes to construction, and a construction schedule for the entire construction project; 
 store in the memory a generated documentation schedule that takes into account the stored contract document data; 
 in accordance with the stored documentation schedule and the contract document data, generate and publish data acquisition instructions for a plurality of construction activities to be documented; 
 electronically receive documentation data that documents each construction activity in accordance with the data acquisition instructions as a plurality of images and text; and 
 determine from the received documentation data current progress of each construction activity and updating the stored documentation schedule in accordance with the determined current progress of each construction activity such that subsequently generated data acquisition instructions are generated in accordance with the updated documentation schedule. 
   
     
     
         70 . The computer system of  claim 69  wherein the module is further configured to:
 update the contract document data to include received indications of construction changes such that subsequently generated data acquisition instructions are generated in accordance with the updated contract documents. 
 
     
     
         71 . The computer system of  claim 69  wherein the module is further configured to:
 integrate the received documentation data into a plurality of retrievable images that provide historical and/or near real-time documentation of the construction project. 
 
     
     
         72 . The computer system of  claim 69  wherein the module is further configured to:
 integrate the received documentation data into a plurality of retrievable images that provide documentation of the construction project over a period of time; 
 receive a request to retrieve and display at least one of the retrievable images based upon a construction-related selection criteria; and 
 display at least one image in response to the received request. 
 
     
     
         73 . The computer system of  claim 72  wherein the module is further configured to:
 display a first one of the plurality of images and a second one of the plurality of images approximately simultaneously such that a viewer can view both images at the same time and manipulate each image independently, wherein the first image represents a structure of the construction project at a first time and the second image represents the structure at a second time allowing the structure to be analyzed over a time period that includes the first time and second time. 
 
     
     
         74 . A method in a computer system for tracking construction to produce “as-built” documentation of a construction project, comprising:
 receiving data from a plurality of construction contract documents; 
 during construction of a structure designated by the received data from the contract documents, receiving a first data acquisition image that represents the structure relative to a first period of time and a second data acquisition image that represents the structure relative to a second period of time; and 
 automatically creating “as-built” documentation for the structure from the first image and the second image such that, when the construction of the structure is completed, the first and second images provide a record of systems and/or structures that have been installed as part of the resultant structure. 
 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74  wherein the automatically creating the “as-built” documentation further comprises:
 automatically creating “as-built” documentation for the structure from the first image and the second image, wherein an internal feature of the structure that is no longer observable is shown in at least one of the images. 
 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 74  wherein the images show hidden systems behind a covered or closed structure. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 76  wherein the hidden systems comprise plumbing, mechanical, fire protection, or electrical systems. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 74  wherein the “as-built” documentation provides information for future maintenance, later expansion, and/or renovation. 
     
     
         79 . A computer system for tracking construction to produce “as-built” documentation of a construction project, comprising:
 a memory; and 
 a module that is stored on the memory and that is configured, when executed, to:
 receive data from a plurality of construction contract documents; 
 during construction of a structure designated by the received data from the contract documents, receive a first data acquisition image that represents the structure relative to a first period of time and a second data acquisition image that represents the structure relative to a second period of time; and 
 automatically create “as-built” documentation for the structure from the first image and the second image such that, when the construction of the structure is completed, the first and second images provide a record of systems and/or structures that have been installed as part of the resultant structure. 
 
 
     
     
         80 . The computer system of  claim 79  wherein the module is further configured to:
 automatically create “as-built” documentation for the structure from the first image and the second image, wherein an internal feature of the structure that is no longer observable is shown in at least one of the images. 
 
     
     
         81 . The computer system of  claim 79  wherein the images show hidden systems behind a covered or closed structure. 
     
     
         82 . The computer system of  claim 81  wherein the hidden systems comprise plumbing, mechanical, fire protection, or electrical systems. 
     
     
         83 . The computer system of  claim 79  wherein the “as-built” documentation provides information for future maintenance, later expansion, and/or renovation. 
     
     
         84 . The computer system of  claim 79 , further comprising:
 a processor, wherein the module contains instructions for execution by the processor.