Contract Management in the Construction Industry by Integrating Building Information Modelling and Blockchain-Based Smart Contracts
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Abstract
Markus König's keynote at CBC 2023 revolves around the integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM), blockchain technology, and smart contracts within the construction industry, and introduces European initiatives in data sharing and management that could significantly impact these technologies. König shares insights into a project started in 2019, aimed at addressing the complexities of contract management in Germany, which suffers from inefficiencies such as delayed payments, transparency issues, and a high rate of insolvencies. The digitalization shift, notably through BIM-based planning and documentation, offers a fertile ground for implementing blockchain and smart contracts to streamline contract management and payment processes.
The project envisions an ecosystem where clients, contractors, and subcontractors interact seamlessly, supported by digital contracts that integrate BIM models with standardized bills of quantities and payment plans. The innovation lies in creating smart contracts that can automate payment processes based on verified completion of work, documented securely on a blockchain. This approach promises to mitigate delays and disputes over payments and work quality.
König also highlights the challenges of integrating digital contracts with traditional paper-based contracts and the development of user-friendly platforms that allow for the easy configuration of contract terms and payment conditions. Despite the potential benefits, he notes the difficulty in convincing the construction industry to adopt these advanced solutions due to the inherent resistance to change and the need for further development and funding.
In the latter part of the presentation, König introduces the European Union's initiative GAIA-X, aimed at establishing a decentralized data ecosystem across various industries, including construction. GAIA-X focuses on creating a trust layer for data exchange that complements blockchain technologies by providing a structured framework for data sharing, compliance, and identity management. The project embodies a consortium approach to blockchain, deemed most suitable for the construction industry due to its balance between openness and privacy.
The discussion on GAIA-X expands into how data exchange can be formalized through self-descriptions, catalogs, and smart contracts to facilitate secure, efficient, and equitable data transactions. This model, according to König, has the potential to revolutionize data management in construction by ensuring that data about buildings, materials, and work processes is accessible, verifiable, and reusable beyond the lifespan of individual projects.
König concludes his presentation without a formal summary, acknowledging the time constraints but leaving the audience with a clear vision of the transformative potential of BIM, blockchain, and smart contracts in construction. The integration of these technologies, alongside initiatives like GAIA-X, could pave the way for more transparent, efficient, and resilient construction processes, though significant challenges in adoption and implementation remain.
Keywords
BIM and Blockchain, Smart Contracts, Digital Contract Management, GAIA-X Data Ecosystem, Construction Industry Digitalization.
