Using Interaction Protocols in Distributed Construction Processes

We present an interaction protocol based approach for facilitating distributed construction processes. In our approach, software agents represent various participants of a construction project. Examples of such are contractor, subcontractor, and supplier. These agents are supposed to communicate according to predefined interaction protocols. Should an agent be unaware of some protocol needed in the process, it benefits from adopting it. We approach this problem with interaction protocol descriptions serialized in a commonly agreed upon format and design our agents so that they can adapt to the descriptions. We present a scenario in the field of construction industry, where the project participants do not know in advance how to communicate with each other. However, by adapting to the interaction protocol descriptions provided by the respective parties they are eventually able to interact.