DigiChecks is a European project that is developing a new digital framework for managing permits and compliance checks in the construction industry. We have collaborated on several pilots with various parties, from contractors to universities to engineering firms and digitization consultants. Find out more about Semmtech’s role in this collaboration in this client case study below.

The challenge

Managing construction permits and compliance checks is a complex process involving multiple stakeholders—from architects and engineers to construction companies and public authorities. The real challenge lies in the diversity of requirements and regulations, which vary across regions and are often presented in inconsistent formats. This lack of standardization makes automated control and processing difficult, leading to inefficiencies and errors.

For instance, regulations may be presented as SMART guidelines, descriptive rules, or formulas, and they are often stored in isolated, siloed systems. Moreover, this fragmentation further complicates the processing of permits and compliance checks, slowing down projects and adding to administrative burdens.

The Solution of DigiChecks

DigiChecks introduces a powerful digital framework to provide flexibility, ease of use, and efficiency to the permit validation and approval system in construction project environments. This solution allows easy interoperability with the tools commonly used in construction regardless of the country, region, or municipality. The use of the DigiChecks framework does not imply a change in the processes but rather effectively implements a new form of exchanging information between the different actors involved in a permit procedure.

But how does DigiChecks Work?

1. Standardized Permit Ontology:
DigiChecks brings together data from multiple sources through a shared language. By standardizing the data into a common, computer-readable structure, it eliminates the confusion caused by varying regulation formats and regional inconsistencies.

2. Digitizing Permit Processes:
DigiChecks provides a tool that enables stakeholders to model and update their permit processes. This ensures that all stakeholders—from construction companies to regulators—are working from a single, transparent process.

3. Building Permit Rules:
Public authorities can now establish their own rules for automated compliance checks. This feature, therefore, allows for greater regional flexibility while still maintaining overall system efficiency and accuracy.

4. Permit Service (API):
An open API makes the entire framework—ontology, processes, and rules—accessible, allowing existing tools to integrate easily.

Semmtech’s Role:

We’re one of the project partners and have played a pivotal role in formulating the permit ontology. Our expertise ensures that the data structure is not only robust but also flexible enough to support future needs. Additionally, we provided software that help manage the ontology and guarantee smooth data exchange across the entire DigiChecks framework.

Our deliverables were:

– Permit Ontology: A standardized data structure for permit information.

– Process Modelling Tool: A tool for stakeholders to model and update their permit processes.

– Rule-Building Capability: A feature enabling authorities to create automated compliance rules specific to their region.

– Permit API Service: An open service for integrating DigiChecks’ components into a flexible, interoperable solution.

The Benefits:

DigiChecks provides a solution to fragmented and inefficient permit management. By simplifying workflows and ensuring compliance through automation, it offers a streamlined approach that benefits all actors involved, making regulatory approvals smoother, faster, and more reliable.

– Flexibility and Efficiency: DigiChecks drastically reduces the time required to validate and approve permits, making it easier to comply with regulations across different regions.

– Interoperability: the solution is designed to integrate with commonly used construction tools, eliminating the need for disruptive changes to existing processes.

For those curious to hear more, please contact us here.  Learn more about the first pilot by emailing apostolisbarekas@semmtech.nl.