Virtual design and construction

Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) is the use of integrated multi-disciplinary performance models of design-construction projects, including the Product (i.e., facilities), Work Processes and Organization of the design - construction - operation team in order to support explicit abd public business objectives.

The theoretical basis of VDC includes:

Engineering modeling methods: product, organization, process
Analysis methods (model-based): including schedule, cost, 4D interactions and process risks
Visualization methods
Business metrics and focus on strategic management
Economic Impact analysis (i.e., models of both the cost and value of capital investments)

VDC Project Model

"VDC models are virtual because they show computer-based descriptions of the project. The VDC project model emphasizes those aspects of the project that can be designed and managed, i.e., the product (typically a building or plant), the organization that will define, design, construct and operate it, and the process that the organization teams will follow. These models are logically integrated in the sense that they all can access shared data, and if a user highlights or changes an aspect of one, the integrated models can highlight or change the dependent aspects of related models. The models are multi-disciplinary in the sense that they represent the Architect, Engineering, Contractor (AEC) and Owner of the project, as well as relevant sub disciplines. The models are performance models in the sense that they predict some aspects of project performance, track many that are relevant, and can show predicted and measured performance in relationship to stated project performance objectives. Some companies now practice the first steps of VDC modeling, and they consistently find that they improve business performance by doing so." (Kunz & Fischer 2007)