Agent parameters for building consultant teamwork in the agent-based simulation model development

Managing information within building construction activities is a challenging task, particularly when each phases of the building construction involves various types of stakeholders (architects, mechanical, electrical and civil engineers, as well as quantity surveyors). In the planning phase of a construction projects, the architects initiate a project through the design of a building. The design artifact produced by architects is among the examples of the initial information that needs to be delivered to the other stakeholders (such as the engineers). However, the process of disseminating this information involves the complex interaction and iteration of activities. This paper discusses the preliminary work undertaken to extract the parameters involved in building consultant teamwork. We used a thematic analysis approach to identify the parameters for the subsequent development of an agent-based simulation model which simulates the interactions among the stakeholders involved. We validate the identified agent parameters with construction experts and with readings obtained from an Nvivo software report.