BPMN 2.0 Modelling for the Management of the Inspection of Execution Processes in Construction

Nowadays digitalization is a growing challenge for the whole construction sector. Therefore, the need of supportive tools and procedures is becoming increasingly urgent in each construction project step and particularly for project supervision in the execution phase. This is a primary requirement especially for the public sector, since the legislative framework is becoming more and more focused on this aspect, in Italy as well as in the European and international context. A formalization of the inspection procedures of project management in the construction phase is proposed through Business Process Modelling and Notation (BPMN) 2.0 language. The first key aspect of this proposal is to assume a model-based approach, which allows a more coherent information management, in contrast with the traditional document-based one. The second aspect concerns process modeling. In fact, the proposed method is based on processes, instead of BIM – based federated object-oriented models. Construction processes are modelled so that they can generate and feed the federated models themselves. In addition to this, Business Process Modelling and Notation can be used to create a collection of different procedures involved in the inspection management for construction projects. Also, BPMN model will allow an automatic feeding of an inspection management support system which will be developed in future studies, that will offer the full traceability of the procedures and the delivery of the quality certification of products. The case study of the inspection of ready-mix concrete cast-in-place process is analyzed and discussed.