Obayashi Corporation developed its ProMIE (*1) visual process management system as a web-based application that uses BIM modeling to enable users to visually grasp the progress of such processes as steel erection and on-site structure work, and manage operations in real time.

In the past, steel beams and other materials shipped from the factory to the construction site were managed by matching each item on the shipment list with its intended position on the construction drawings. Once the parts were installed and the steel erection work completed, the respective parts on the drawings would be shaded in colors and the drawings shared to enable people to monitor progress. Given the large number of parts and materials, this process was extremely time consuming and sometimes led to delayed shipments, errors in the recording of parts codes, and gaps in the communicated information. The manual process also made it difficult to share management information, and this resulted in inefficiencies. For example, to calculate the volume of construction work performed, data shown on construction records had to be entered manually into spreadsheet software or data sheets before any calculations could be made.

The newly developed ProMIE system is designed primarily for management of construction processes involving steel beams and other construction parts or materials. The system was trialed on various construction sites from 2018 and its functionality improved based on problems identified and feedback from the sites. Using a cloud-based BIM model also made it possible to visually check and manage progress of the relevant construction project in 3D, and to share information in real-time with clients, suppliers and subcontractors, and any other relevant parties. By using the attribute information included in the BIM model, such as the volume and weight of particular parts and materials, the volume of construction work performed can be easily calculated based on construction records entered into the system. This serves to reduce the effort required and the chance of human error associated with the conventional method.

Obayashi intends to use the newly developed ProMIE system for managing processes primarily in steel frame construction, given the large number of parts involved. New functionality is being developed and added all the time. The future addition of a construction plan review function and flexible form output function will expand the system's functionality and facilitate better links with other relevant internal systems. Going forward, Obayashi will seek to improve operational efficiency and productivity by positioning the ProMIE system at the core of the Company's construction management BIM platform.

• *1 ProMIE
  Short for Project Management in an Integrated Environment, meaning the projects are visible.
• *2 QR Code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.