Rule-Based Design Scheduling System for Build Projects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual processing of complex building project schedules is time-consuming, prone to human error, and often results in delays and additional costs due to the need for frequent updates and the complexity of managing thousands of activities across multiple subcontractors and locations.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for processing building project schedules using a graphical user interface (GUI) where a server identifies and processes schedule formats, allows users to create parsing and classification rules, maps activities to locations and work phases, and generates a design schedule, enabling quicker and more accurate updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual processing of master schedules is used, then human review and control are maintained, but processing time increases to a week or longer and human error occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual review process with an automated computer-based system that uses software algorithms to parse, validate, and process schedule data. The system automatically identifies activities, extracts parameters, checks for errors, and generates processed schedules without human intervention, thereby eliminating human error while dramatically reducing processing time from weeks to minutes or hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service processing where the schedule data automatically validates itself through built-in business rules and constraints. The software independently checks for logical errors, conflicts, and compliance with project requirements without needing manual verification, allowing the schedule to process and validate itself autonomously.
2Ease of operation
If manual review of thousands of activities is performed, then detailed human control is maintained, but the process is prone to human error and requires massive time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual human review operations with automated computational processes that systematically examine every activity in the schedule. The software uses algorithms to parse activity data, extract parameters, validate against business rules, and identify errors automatically, providing both ease of operation through automation and high reliability by eliminating human error in processing thousands of activities.
3Productivity
If schedules are updated once or twice per month, then processing workload is manageable, but delays and downstream disruptions occur due to outdated information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous schedule processing and validation rather than periodic updates. The automated system can process schedule data as it is generated or modified, providing ongoing validation and immediate identification of issues. This continuous processing eliminates delays by ensuring schedule accuracy is maintained at all times rather than only during monthly review cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service automatic validation that continuously checks schedule data for errors and conflicts without requiring scheduled manual intervention. The automated processing occurs continuously in the background, immediately detecting and flagging issues as they arise, thereby preventing construction delays caused by outdated or erroneous schedule information.
4Productivity
If automated processing is implemented, then processing speed increases, but system complexity increases requiring format recognition and rule creation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing pre-configured templates, standard formats, and built-in business rules that are prepared in advance. The system comes with predefined parsing rules, validation criteria, and processing logic that automatically apply to common schedule formats, reducing the complexity of implementation while maintaining high processing speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves universality by designing a multi-functional platform that can handle multiple schedule formats, parsing methods, and validation rules through a single integrated software solution. The automated processing engine is configured to recognize and process various standard schedule formats using universal parsing algorithms, reducing system complexity while maintaining high productivity across different project types and formats.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for processing a schedule for a build project. In an example, a server can receive a data file that includes the schedule. The server can extract locations from the schedule and map activities in the schedule to their corresponding locations. The server can also map each activity to a drawing type based on the type of activity. Each drawing type can have an associated work phase, and the server can map work phases to locations based on the activity mapped to their corresponding drawing types. The server can then map each activity to a corresponding work phase at its location based on the previous mappings. The server can cause a graphical user interface to display a design schedule of the build project that includes a location breakdown structure with each location's work phases, each work phase's activities, and each work phase's drawing types.