Patent ID: 7089203
Filing Date: 2006-08-08
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A computer hardware and software-implemented method of reducing errors and uncertainty in construction projects for practical application in the field of architecture and the technological arts of construction and computer operations for efficient administration of construction contract bidding, letting and management processes, involving construction project work information included in construction project plans and construction project contracts and/or subcontracts, said plans including a plurality of construction plan sheet drawings of a construction project, said computer including a central processor and a computer readable memory device, and said software includes software code for controlling the operation of said computer, comprising the following steps in any operative order: (a) applying at least one electronic overlay from a computer memory to a digitized construction plan sheet as a representational surface corresponding to a selected construction trade or category of construction work to be performed on said project, said overlay being aligned with the plan sheet permitting defining by ordered sets of coordinates, a plurality of topological subdivision regions of said at least one construction plan sheet, each of said plurality of subdivision regions uniquely identifying, delineating and locating a selected portion of the construction work, object or element depicted graphically on said at least one plan sheet; (b) linking each of said plurality of overlay-defined subdivision regions to at least one of said construction project contracts or sub-contracts to accurately map the plan sheet depiction that identifies the selected portion of the construction work to be bid, to the correct contracts or sub-contract(s); and (c) incorporating said linked regions into said contract to graphically reference the scope of work to be performed under said contract depiction on said plan sheets to enhance the precision, clarity and completeness of said work, thereby to reduce errors and omissions in construction performance under said contracts and/or subcontracts.