Knowledge elicitation using protocol analysis in a workshop environment

This paper reports on an approach used by the ICON (Integration/Information for CONstruction) project in order to elicit knowledge and information from experts in the construction domain. The approach adopted is that of protocol analysis whereby the expert is encouraged to think aloud about a certain domain area or application. The ICON project aims at the development of a framework for an integrated database for the construction industry. Such a task requires a significant amount of information and knowledge from the various disciplines involved within a construction project. A workshop was organized for experts in the fields of architecture, quantity surveying, contracting, building and information technology in order to analyse the information required to design and build a particular building. The knowledge and information extracted from these experts were used to test and approve the information infrastructure of the ICON integrated models and identify where additional information was required.