Systems and methods for electronically generating submittal registers
A system and method for generating a submittal register for various construction projects or other items is disclosed. Among other things, the system and method include inputting the construction project specifications in a file format, such as PDF, into a web application interface to convert the specification to a text file, applying an algorithm to the text file based on a set of rules, that are iteratively revised using machine learning, to identify all required submittals, generating a final submittal register, and delivering the final submittal register.
1. A computer-implemented method for generating a submittal register for a construction project comprising:
(a) receiving a construction project specification in a first format into a web application interface;
(b) processing the construction project specification to generate the submittal register, wherein the processing comprises converting the construction project specification to a required output format of the submittal register, wherein the processing comprises:
(1) accessing a rule;
(2) parsing the construction project specification based on the rule to produce results, wherein the parsing identifies a term that is associated with a submittal category of the submittal register;
(3) receiving input verifying the results of the parsing;
(4) revising the rule based on the verifying;
and
(c) delivering the submittal register in the required output format.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the required output format comprises a text format.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the converting comprises:
removing conversion errors.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the removing conversion errors comprises:
comparing the construction project specification to the submittal register to determine a type and location of text and non-text content; and
reformatting the text and non-text content to reflect the type and location.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the submittal register comprises:
a list of all documents exchanged among different project stakeholders.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
automatically performing a quality control check of the submittal register based on the rule, wherein the rule determines whether the submittal register meets the required output format.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein:
the quality control check determines that the submittal register does not meet the required output format;
the method further comprises:
adjusting the submittal register to bring the submittal register into compliance with the required output format.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the processing further comprises:
identifying summary text, a submittal category, or submittal description for the submittal register.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
iterating the receiving and processing steps over multiple different construction project specifications to develop and revise a model, wherein:
the model is revised during the iterating using machine learning; and
the model provides parameters for processing the construction project specification; and
the model increases uniformity of the submittal register.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving an additional construction project specification;
processing the additional construction project specification to generate an additional submittal register;
comparing the construction project specification and the additional construction project specification to determine specification differences and annotation differences; and
showing the specification differences and the annotation differences in a format that identifies changes.
11. A computer-implemented system for generating a submittal register for a construction project comprising:
(a) a computer having a memory;
(b) a processor executing on the computer;
(c) the memory storing a set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform features comprising:
(1) receiving a construction project specification in a first format into a web application interface;
(2) processing the construction project specification to generate the submittal register, wherein the processing comprises converting the construction project specification to a required output format of the submittal register, wherein the processing comprises:
(i) accessing a rule;
(ii) parsing the construction project specification based on the rule to produce results, wherein the parsing identifies a term that is associated with a submittal category of the submittal register;
(iii) receiving input verifying the results of the parsing;
(iv) revising the rule based on the verifying;
and
(3) delivering the submittal register in the required output format.
12. The computer-implemented system of claim 11 , wherein the required output format comprises a text format.
13. The computer-implemented system of claim 11 , wherein the converting comprises:
removing conversion errors.
14. The computer-implemented system of claim 13 , wherein the removing conversion errors comprises:
comparing the construction project specification to the submittal register to determine a type and location of text and non-text content; and
reformatting the text and non-text content to reflect the type and location.
15. The computer-implemented system of claim 11 , wherein the submittal register comprises:
a list of all documents exchanged among different project stakeholders.
16. The computer-implemented system of claim 11 , further comprising:
automatically performing a quality control check of the submittal register based on the rule, wherein the rule determines whether the submittal register meets the required output format.
17. The computer-implemented system of claim 16 , wherein:
the quality control check determines that the submittal register does not meet the required output format;
the method further comprises:
adjusting the submittal register to bring the submittal register into compliance with the required output format.
18. The computer-implemented system of claim 11 , wherein the processing further comprises:
identifying summary text, a submittal category, or submittal description for the submittal register.
19. The computer-implemented system of claim 11 , further comprising:
iterating the receiving and processing steps over multiple different construction project specifications to develop and revise a model, wherein:
the model is revised during the iterating using machine learning; and
the model provides parameters for processing the construction project specification; and
the model increases uniformity of the submittal register.
20. The computer-implemented system of claim 11 , further comprising:
receiving n additional construction project specification;
processing the additional construction project specification to generate an additional submittal register;
comparing the construction project specification and the additional construction project specification to determine specification differences and annotation differences; and
showing the specification differences and the annotation differences in a format that identifies changes.