We have developed a track record of excellent cooperation with many municipalities (more than 90). Still, in this article, we would like to highlight the Municipality of Kranj, where our cooperation is exemplary and reciprocally beneficial. 

Construction Investments  

For many years now we have been successfully and efficiently cooperating with the Municipality of Kranj on major and some smaller investment projects. We have set up the XPERT environment and provided engineering consulting to ensure proper project management control. This usually involves IT-based financial and schedule monitoring of investment projects, coordination, implementation and monitoring of processes which enable us to meet the objectives of the project investment plan.  

The use of a project portal has become a standard. It is designed to store electronic project documentation, facilitate effective communication between all project participants (investor-supervisor-contractor) and ensure transparency in the implementation phase. With our IT support, we ensure the implementation of the basic principles of project management and cost engineering. The implementation is conditional on the timely detection of financial and schedule deviations. This enables the investor and other stakeholders to react in time and take effective action to implement projects following the set objectives.   

Management of Municipal Road Infrastructure  

The Municipality of Kranj thoroughly and diligently implements the statutory obligation to maintain the prescribed reference system of municipal public roads, as laid down in the Categorisation Ordinance and the digital road axis. To manage roads effectively, we spend a great deal of time and resources on collecting and managing road data, which enables us to plan and maintain such a large and spatially dispersed infrastructure.  

Based on many years of experience and relevant references, the AXIS team has established excellent cooperation with Kranj Municipality, which is reflected in the ongoing alignment with the actual situation on the ground and under the current Ordinance in line with the status of the road bank data and public infrastructure register. 

Marko Majerič, M. C.E., Project Head of Road Infrastructure Management at AXIS, has been working with the Municipality of Kranj for many years. He summarised his impressions as below: “Over the years, we have established a friendly work culture which is made possible by the competent and dedicated support of all partners and colleagues at the Municipality of Kranj. Their concern for the well-being of all citizens enables us to jointly plan, implement and maintain this extensive road infrastructure. It is a real pleasure to work and cooperate with them, as this is how we deliver on our mission and commitment to quality, transparency and a better life for our users on a day-to-day basis.”

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A dedicated and highly qualified engineering team with extensive knowledge in project management, construction operations and public infrastructure management actively participates in all stages of construction investment projects ensuring high quality and necessary transparency of construction investments. Due to the diversity, number and scale of projects, experts from related and complementary disciplines are often invited to participate. A multidisciplinary approach is a necessity in the complex construction industry.  

A Journey from Digital to the Real World of Construction

At the invitation of Bojan Strah, Managing Director and Partner, and Ivan Rus, Technical Director and Partner, AXIS employees, colleagues and guests went on a tour of some of the most interesting and challenging construction projects carried out in 2023. The invitation was also extended to Mojca Furlan, an attorney at law, who is an expert in construction law, a regular participant at professional construction conferences, and an author of numerous articles in professional legal and construction journals. The tour was joined by Darja Šemrov, PhD, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geodesy, where she lectures on Railway Design and Construction. She is an expert in the field of design, construction and management of railway infrastructure. The diverse group set off in the early hours of the morning.  

1st Stop – Fran Albrecht Primary School in Kamnik

The morning was still cloudy and foggy when they visited the construction site of Fran Albrecht Primary School in Kamnik. AXIS is cooperating with the Municipality of Kamnik providing project supervision in this large and complex construction project using the XPERT IT environment to monitor the construction investment in detail from the start. The construction is currently in its final phase and the works are implemented at an extremely intensive pace. The works include craft, electrical, mechanical, kitchen technology, parking and pedestrian areas, the school playground and the atrium. AXIS team is proud to have been fully involved in all segments of the construction process, from the initial preparation phase to the forthcoming building handover for use and operation. A project of this size and various stakeholders comprises challenges that must be tackled with great patience, professionalism and a collaborative culture. They rate the cooperation as more than excellent and consider it as an example of good practice when it comes to public investments.  The school’s exterior already shows its final shape, while the interior spaces simply overwhelm you with their size, spaciousness and immense amount of light. The new Primary School will soon open its doors to pupils and teachers.  

Source: AXIS archive

2nd Stop – DARS Office Building at Grič

The cloudy and cold weather persisted when they arrived at the second stop; a tour of the new DARS office building construction site. Bojan Strah and Ivan Rus are proud of the project, which is expected to be completed at the end of the year. They commend the smooth cooperation of all stakeholders in the introduction of a Common Data Environment (CDE) and a new approach to managing the investment through a project portal with pre-defined rules in the earliest phase of the tender documentation preparation. Ivan Rus is convinced DARS Office Building project is a textbook example of good construction practice and its implementation with a high degree of digitisation and efficient e-business in all phases of the project.   

The new DARS office building at Grič, together with underground garages, will comprise over 14,000 square metres of gross floor area. The building will have two underground floors dedicated to parking spaces, while the ground floor and four floors will be dedicated to office space. The architecture of the building follows the evolution of work processes and their organisation, ensuring a high-quality, enjoyable and healthy working environment.   

 Source: AXIS archive

3rd Stop – Second Track of the Divača – Koper Railway Line

The sun was shining as the team arrived at the last location, the construction site of the Divača – Koper railway line, which is one of the largest construction projects in Slovenia. It is currently at the height of construction. In December 2023, 2 key milestones were completed. The Gabrovica Viaduct under the Črni Kal motorway viaduct, and the Vinjan viaduct, the longest of the three viaducts in the Divača-Koper project and the first railway viaduct in Slovenia to be constructed using the free-span   construction technology.  

The representatives of 2TDK, Mateja Erčulj, MSc. and Ljubo Žnidar presented the complexity of the project, conditioned by the rugged terrain, with a tour of the Glinščica valley, the Gabrovica viaduct, and the Vinjan viaduct, which they climbed with a lift. The tour was much more than just a presentation of the challenges and the implementation of the current activities on the project. Representatives of 2TDK and AXIS team are construction experts with a wide range of expertise and experience in large construction projects, therefore they addressed challenging technical questions, exchanged opinions, compliments and criticism in the discussion. 

Source: AXIS archive

Construction Is Digitally and Operationally an Outstanding Industry

Mojca Furlan was impressed, as she rarely gets the opportunity to see construction law being implemented on a construction site and added: “I was more than impressed by this exceptional excursion. Expert guidance gave me a completely different perspective of what the art of construction is, especially on such magnificent structures. I believe that site visits are more than necessary for lawyers who deal with construction law. This is the only way for us legal construction experts to understand, at least to some extent, what happens during construction. Simply looking at the documents is by no means sufficient to make a proper assessment of the factual situation. I would like to thank the organizers for a truly wonderful experience, and all the answers to my sometimes slightly unprofessional questions.”   

Sources in Slovenian language: www.os-fa.si, www.kamnik.si, www.abiro.net, 2TDK; www.drugitir.si, rtvslo.si arhiv AXIS

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More sustainable mobility with the ReMOBIL project

The main goal of the ReMOBIL project is the long-term reduction of the negative environmental effects of traffic, which resulted from the non-use of sustainable forms of mobility at local, regional and national level. The project involves the transfer of foreign practices, a comprehensive model and guidelines of regional mobility management, and recommendations for aligning the national legislation. The ReMobil model is to be tested in six regional mobility centers and will be followed by public awareness campaigns during the European Mobility Week (EMW) in September 2024.  

AXIS and data digitalization in XPERTrdb 

AXIS has been supporting and driving the digitization of construction processes and road infrastructure management in Slovenia and the region for over 20 years. AXIS’s construction and public road infrastructure management have become the standard. The XPERTrdb (XPERT Road Data Bank) information system (IS) is widely used across Slovenia by the Slovenian Motorway Company (DARS) with its 700 km of motorways and over 15,000 km of municipal roads in more than 90 Slovenian municipalities. Digital transformation with the XPERTrdb IS has been introduced in the Republic of North Macedonia covering more than 500 km of public state roads.  Organized digital data in the XPERTrdb IS ensures efficient management of road infrastructure, thus providing end users with safer and better service level. XPERTrdb is aligned with the requirements of the central RDB database, managed by the Slovenian Infrastructure Agency.   

This is why AXIS was a logical choice for the cooperation in the initial phase of the ReMOBIL project. AXIS has implementing one of the sub-projects: “Establishment of an Information Environment for Managing Attribute Data on State and Municipal Cycling Public Infrastructure with Data Visualization in a Graphic Environment (GIS)”. AXIS has introduced the Information Environment for the pilot-selected municipality of Škofljica. In the future it will support the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR), which connects 25 central Slovenian municipalities together with the City Municipality of Ljubljana and help expand the model to all remaining municipalities.  

What is XPERTrdb? 

XPERTrdb is a comprehensive web-based and cloud information solution with a modular structure – Road data bank, traffic signalization, public lighting, etc. It contains an integrated Road Reference System of public roads for spatial connection of entities, i.e., individual technical and other elements of road infrastructure to the digital axis model. It is an open system with a dynamic structure for adding new content that is subject to road management. The relational database has high analytical capabilities over the data and simple, transparent functions. The overarching upgrade being the integrated graphical viewer (GIS) for visualizing road infrastructure data, enabling users to review, and interpret extensive spatial data. 

Status of the ReMOBIL project 

The ReMOBIL project began in November 2023. By the end of 2023 AXIS introduced the XPERTrdb IS by adding basic graphic backgrounds, i.e., spatial data and digital road axes and harmonized the data structure and codes with the needs of the RRA LUR and the national RDB database operated by Slovenian Infrastructure Agency. Thus, establishing data on municipal cycling and pedestrian areas in the selected pilot municipality of Škofljica. The first phase of the project concludes at the end of April 2024. 

Benefits and opportunities for municipalities 

The ReMOBIL project represents an exceptional stimulus and an opportunity for all municipalities that lack organized records of cycling and pedestrian areas to establish records within the legal obligations of RDB (Road Data Bank) reporting and provide those to the central Slovenian Infrastructure Agency database.  

The current situation in Slovenia is somewhat paradoxical. Many municipalities have deficient, poorly organized or uncoordinated data on cycling and pedestrian areas, while accelerated construction of cycling infrastructure is taking place throughout Slovenia at the national, municipal, and local levels.  

The ReMOBIL project including AXIS support with XPERTrdb IS will facilitate rapid and smooth data transformation into digital form, assist in harmonization with the field data and simultaneously fulfil the obligation of RDB data reporting to the central RDB database at the Slovenian Infrastructure Agency. In line with the goals of the ReMOBIL project the municipalities that provide basic information on existing cycling and pedestrian areas will undoubtedly have an advantage in obtaining funding and co-funding for future cycling and pedestrian infrastructure projects. Participation in the ReMOBIL project will bring benefits and advantages to municipalities and ensure more sustainable mobility, safer cycling, and safer walking for all citizens. 

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Goals and Purpose of the Drinking Water Supply Project   

The existing water supply system in the 5 municipalities was outdated and no longer provided a quality water supply. Due to its construction some 70 years ago, frequent breakdowns occurred due to the ageing of the water supply system and the use of poor-quality materials. As a result, water was wasted unnecessarily, the supply was disrupted and, in the event of heavy rain, the water would become muddy.   

The investment in the “Drinking Water Supply in the Upper Sava River Area – 2nd lot” included more than 24 km pipeline system, the development of the Krvavec water intake, the construction of a modern drinking water treatment facility with ultrafiltration, a new Taber water storage tank in village Šmartno and the development of 10 water supply hubs. The modern inter-municipal water supply system will ensure the continuity of water supply for almost 30,000 inhabitants of the municipality of Cerklje na Gorenjskem, part of the municipality of Kranj, part of the municipality of Šenčur, the municipality of Komenda and the municipality of Vodice.   

IT Support with the XPERT environment   

Cooperation with the Municipality of Cerklje na Gorenjskem based for financial and schedule monitoring of the investment project” within “Drinking Water Supply in the Upper Sava River Area – 2nd lot ” took place in two key areas. First step was the implementation of the XPERT information system what includes; training of stakeholders (users of client, contractor, supervisor) in the XPERT IS, setting up and maintenance of the project documents and information, systematisation of bill of quantities (BoQ), i.e. accounting of performed work, production of monthly statements, payment monitoring, management of claims and annexes. Along with the organizaton of monitoring and schedule monitoring of the projects activities we also established WEB project portal for stakeholders’ communication, access to data and project documentation.   

Second part of client-AXIS cooperation included technical support and setting up the project XPERT IS environment (documents, contracts, estimates, data, project structures etc.). Due to project development AXIS advising to the client on the process of integrating external participants (engineers, supervisor, co-investor, etc.), took care about IT administration (adding users and defining rights) and preparation of regular monthly reports on the financial and scheduled progress based on the use of the analytical tools in XPERT IS. Detection of unpredictable events and possible deviations versus the investment study and contractual documents. Monitoring the project’s schedule and financial progress was one of the most important issues of the client-AXIS cooperation and includes works progress, financial consequences on works execution, informing the client in the event of deviations from the contractual schedule or financial plan. 

The investment is sustainable and addresses the challenge of providing drinking water for todays and future generations. The project will significantly contribute to reducing negative environmental impacts, facilitate a better quality of life and open opportunities for further economic development in the area. 

Source: cerklje.si

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The construction of the Fran Albreht Primary School in Kamnik is in its final stages. How do you assess the progress of the project? The establishment of a common data environment (CDE) and the implementation of project controlling have allowed you to have a detailed insight into what is happening all the time. Where are we momentarily with the works on the facility?   

Grega Bajželj: “Yes, the works are in the final stages. The work is always more intensive when we are nearing the end of the construction. We are currently in the process of carrying out artisan works (painting, facades, flooring, wood cladding), and electrical works (wiring, fine installation of electrical equipment, implementation of central monitoring system, active fire protection, etc.). There are also mechanical works (supply and installation of sanitary equipment), kitchen technology (construction of floor and wall coverings, kitchen technological equipment) and external improvements (parking, cycling and pedestrian areas, school playground and atrium). A tender for the equipment is underway. We predict the school to be put into use in the next school year. The final phase of this project includes the demolition of the old school. Any major construction project such as this one has many challenges during the construction process.  

Source: AXIS archive

Setting up a project management information environment is an extremely important factor for solving problems on time. A project portal allows for faster, better and more transparent information flow. The information environment must be used by all stakeholders. In the initial phase, there were several challenges as to the necessity to involve all stakeholders. Things have improved over time, but we would like to see speedier involvement and more active use in the future. The essential advantage of the information environment is the data collection in one single space, the real-time posting of updated, amended project documentation, reviews and change management, validation of materials and equipment, sampling of materials, qualitative inspection of the building, and preparation and maintenance of minutes.  

Project controlling is a wide-ranging area and includes ongoing support to the client with any changes or requests from the contractor and users. This is followed by continuous consultancy, finding solutions worthwhile integrating into the project, assistance with technical issues, preparation of expert analyses, and participation in meetings. The information environment and project controlling work hand in hand, and this is how we have been able to provide the client with the project’s schedule and financial preview at virtually any time. This represented the basis for the client’s key decision-making in a wide variety of situations. 

From a financial point of view, the project has always been under control and within the contract values. From a technical point of view, several changes to the project were proposed, accepted and largely implemented, but resulted in the prolonged timing of construction. We jointly work hard with all stakeholders to bring the construction to a successful completion within the agreed timeframe. I am confident that we will be able to complete the project to everyone’s satisfaction, and above all to the satisfaction of the children who are eagerly awaiting their new school.”

The construction industry is still facing a lack of transparency, especially in public investments. With the municipality of Kamnik, you started early with the digitalization of tendering procedures. That’s the pre-preparation phase, isn’t it?   

Grega Bajželj: ”Exactly. In general, there is a lack of transparency due to a large number of stakeholders, the nature of fieldwork and also the lack of knowledge in the use of construction digitalization tools. The main reasons might probably lie in the absence of dedication awarded to the use of digitalization tools and the overload of staff coordinating the work of all contractor stakeholders. In my personal opinion, the crucial obstacle is in the change of mentality – digitalized processes create swifter project communication and render work more efficient and faster. Furthermore, the use of IT technologies requires the contractor to have an up-to-date knowledge of the project (plans) ensuring conflicts and problems are detected very early in the process. This is fundamental for a successful resolution and ultimately a quality facility. 

In the case of Fran Albrecht Primary School in Kamnik, we specifically started with a technical review of the project documentation and the bill-of-quantities (BoQs) before launching the tender for the contractor’s selection. The bill of quantities was reviewed and edited upon the tender’s publication. We devised an appropriate structure to be used in the XPERT IT environment, which consequently resulted in any corrections to the bill of quantities being easily made already in the tender phase.  Consequently, the bill-of-quantities were easily entered into XPERT and then further processed during the execution phase. Such bill-of-quantities must be executed before the tender itself. Unfortunately, the client did not opt for the tender to be implemented in the XPERTopen IT solution, which would allow tenderers to prepare and submit data in a standard XML format free of charge and would further alleviate the client’s review and analysis phase during the tender process.” 

How challenging is the financial controlling phase of the project? Is this the final part of the project or does it run from the beginning of the project? And most importantly how do you handle so many different stakeholders?   

Grega Bajželj: “From the client’s point of view, the most important information is, of course, the price of the project along with the quality and timeline. That’s why we must be always in constant control of the financial aspect of the project thus, enabling the client to make crucial decisions at any time. To be able to implement “financial controlling”, it is necessary to properly manage the project and collect relevant information throughout the entire duration of the project. 

The key information and tasks in this phase contain: 1. preparation of monthly billing situations, 2. production of the schedule, 3. revision of the schedule, 4. project change management, 5. up-to-date project documentation and its interpretation.   

Source: AXIS archives, website: www.axis.si 

All this must be done from the start of the project, i.e. from the launch. The key to managing stakeholders is to establish proper communication, which has been achieved by setting up the process protocol and a project portal. All information is thus stored in one place and accessible only to relevant stakeholders responsible for specific areas of the project. This results in swift project management and timely response to specific circumstances. In the case of Fran Albreht Primary School, processes have been running according to the agreed protocol, yet there is always room for improvement. All stakeholders should be aware of this, and when one of them fails to do its job, everything becomes much more difficult, if not in vain.”  

AXIS has been fully digitalising construction investment processes, using in-house developed IT tools for more than 20 years. What are your insights from the Fran Albreht Primary School perspective in Kamnik? What advice would you give to other municipalities embarking on similar public investments?   

Grega Bajželj: “I have realised that the construction industry itself and related project management are very complex and extensive. Covering all areas and phases during the project’s duration requires a lot of knowledge and commitment. I can claim that AXIS has practically covered all segments in the construction investment processes, from the initial stage of creating project documentation to handing over the facility for use and operation. A lot of effort, knowledge, R&D and, ultimately, finances were invested in all of this. 

Source: AXIS archives, website: www.axis.si 

I believe that the Fran Albreht Primary School construction has benefited greatly from the establishment of a pre-defined work protocol and cooperation and proved to be the right decision. Nevertheless, it has outlined the added value of the project. There were many challenges, dilemmas, questions, concerns, and even harsh words on the way. Things are rarely ideal, especially in construction. We know that the project has experienced some delays due to various circumstances, but this was out of our control.  

Overall, I rate our cooperation to be more than excellent. As to my advice for other municipalities, I would suggest that they approach construction projects with patience, prudence and the awareness that things cannot be rushed. Stakeholders must be required to do their work correctly and within the agreed deadline. Consequently, the work will proceed as smoothly as possible and to mutual satisfaction. 

In any case, I advise investors and clients to use appropriate information technologies. I am certainly biased in my advice, but the XPERT information environment is an excellent solution that has successfully guided us from the beginning to the near completion of the project. It is an example of good practice when it comes to public construction investments. We have similar experiences with other municipalities as well.” 

Will you be attending the opening of the new Fran Albreht Primary School? 8,000 square metres gross floor area, 32 new classrooms, 18 classrooms… contemporary and safe classrooms for a new generation of pupils. A great achievement! How does it feel to complete a project like this?   

Grega Bajželj: “I will if I’m invited. Such a great achievement! This is truly a unique project as we are not talking about a standard school. The idea of Mr. Hočevar (project manager) matured for quite some time and underwent many transformations, changes, and rationalizations, but all in all with a single objective. The Kamnik children to get an institution that will offer appropriate standards or even better facilities for a smooth process of continuous learning that will equip them with many early learning adventures which they will not forget and remember for a long time.

From the project design point of view, I can say that this school is unique in Slovenia and the wider European environment. I believe that all Slovenian children would like to attend such a facility. On the other hand, it will also provide a suitable working environment for teachers so that they can successfully transfer knowledge to budding pupils. I am happy that the construction is nearing its successful completion. This is going to be a happy and proud moment for all stakeholders to see satisfied schoolchildren who are looking forward to the new school environment.”

 Source: AXIS archive

Thank you, Grega, for your valuable inputs. It has been most insightful. 

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AXIS carried out extensive work as part of the Implementation of the Road Asset Management System (RAMS-RDB) and completed the project. The main goals of the PESR included: the collection of road condition data, road network assessment, and inception of strategic and programmatic analysis enabling the preparation of continuous 3-year road maintenance and rehabilitation programs.

AXIS established a database of roads data with the adoption of XPERTrdb information system, upgraded with the data management application – Road Data Bank (RDB). Furthermore, the WEB GIS module for the graphic presentation of road data was implemented by Igea Holding, directly integrating data with Road Data Bank (RDB) based on the new road reference system (RRS) for state roads. In addition, the established RAMS Information Web Portal now serves as a common entry point with all information, news and metadata.

We reviewed all existing digital road data, transformed it into the new road reference system (RRS) and established it in RDB. We carried out measurements with Ground Penetration Radar (GPR) to collect data on state-of-the-road structure along with the weight of vehicles in motion measured on the entire state road network {4384 km}. The last step in RAMS establishment and state-of-the-road network assessment was made using HDM-4. Consequently, the first strategic analysis was completed, enabling continuous three-year road maintenance programs.

Maintenance and Upgrade of the RAMS Project by Developing New Modules

Maintenance of the RAMS system

We continually provide PESR with regular monitoring of the software solution’s operation, as well as diagnostics of the system’s current state, i.e. identifying all possible technical and system problems and proactively solving them. At the same time, we measure, record, analyse relevant parameters to take appropriate measures  and to ensure optimal and reliable operation of the RAMS- RDB software solution.

Bridge Data Management Module

Together with PESR, AXIS and its partners will introduce a bridge data collection, maintenance and management system (RAMS-BDB) within ongoing upgrades, which will support all bridge management activities such as; field data collection, management of collected data, preparation of models for predicting the condition of bridges and intervention bridge maintenance planning.

Basic reference data on all state road bridges will be collected in the RAMS-BDB and will include a unique code bridge list, name and type of bridge, location and basic technical parameters on bridging structures (material, bridge type, length, width, height, etc.). Data on the bridge’s state will be obtained through field data collection and will be determined by a special public procurement, which the World Bank will finance. The bridge condition assessment methodology will define the data content, and the data on the bridge conditions will be collected in the field within timely predicted slots. Analytical data for bridges, which include data on the forecasted state and planned bridge maintenance activities, will be obtained via a special computer system, which is currently in the public procurement phase and is predicted to serve the analytical processes of bridge state forecasting and maintenance planning.

Upgrade with Road Works Data Management Module

The module for managing data on road works (reconstruction, rehabilitation, maintenance) will be implemented in 2023. It will complement the use of the RAMS system by managing detailed technical and scheduling data on the construction, reconstruction and other works on state roads. The PESR’s end users will be, within the integrated RAMS system, able to prepare road maintenance programs based on accurate and timely updated data on works on state roads that take place every year.

AXIS is proud of the work done and looks forward to participating in the digitalisation of road asset management in the Republic of North Macedonia.

Source: Wikipedia

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The 2nd tube of the Karavanke tunnel will decisively contribute to developing the comprehensive road network in Slovenia and improve the direct connection of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors. Completion of the tube is scheduled for June 2025. Upon opening, traffic will be diverted through the newly built pipe, and the existing tube will be renovated and modernised. The final renovation is planned to be completed by 2027 when two-way traffic in the Karavanke tunnel will be abolished, and the speed limit will be increased from 80 to 100 km/h.

Managing infrastructure projects is a demanding task in terms of engineering and construction work. In depth-knowledge of investment processes and procedures, monitoring of financial and timeline indicators, and understanding the potential risks and their financial consequences are crucial in the design, planning and implementation of infrastructure projects. Challenges most frequently arise in managing the organisation, quality professional supervision, transparent management of procedures and documentation, a large amount of information to be uniformly accessible to all stakeholders and the use of appropriate up-to-date information support.

Source: DARS

The critical investor’s goal is to ensure effective project and construction investment control, thus guaranteeing the projected progress following the timeline, financial plan and quality by introducing Common Data Environment (CDE). Introduction, maintenance and support of the Common Data Environment (CDE) is a fundamental support principle of any construction process and consists of two comprehensive sets of tasks.

The first set of tasks consists of introducing the XPERT information system for financial and scheduling monitoring and establishing the Web Project Portal for smooth digital communication and project documentation management. The basis for the successful introduction of the latter is the so-called Communication and Documentation Protocol, which prescribes the obligations and activities of all stakeholders in detail. The training period for all system users is successfully coming to an end. The use of the entire CDE system consequently goes into full production and continues with ongoing maintenance and customer support.

Common Data Environment and XPERT construction information software provide:

• Financial and scheduling monitoring of project implementation by measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of all contracts -> the possibility of timely action,
• effective participation of participants with assigned roles and implementation of the tasks according to the protocol, which prescribes the method of communication -> saving time in communication between participants,
• structured and orderly management of project documentation -> quick search for the latest versions of the desired documents,
• support for upgrading BIM models -> issue management.

The second set of tasks includes professional, technical and engineering services to support the client and users, directing a comprehensive set of engineering tasks, from the document preparation and organisation and project information management to the monitoring of the investment process in CDE Karavanke and participation in the preparation of relevant financial, scheduling and execution reports for the client and engineer.

Professional and technical support includes a broad group of engineering services, among which we highlighted key ones:

• Supervision, coordination, professional and content assistance in the preparation and organisation of work with documents and project information management,
• support to project participants in the implementation of protocol methodology, coordination, changes, validation and integration into the CDE project portal,
• monthly operational monitoring of the scheduling and financial plan for the implementation of all works within the construction,
• keeping information and records of deviations and any deficiencies in the work performed in the CDE information system,
• maintenance and updating of the overall investment plan and the overall implementation plan,
• updating the financial monitoring of the construction project, creating and setting up a control panel (Cost and Schedule Performance Indexes (CPI/SPI), S-curve analysis …),
• participation and consultation in determining the content and form of the project reporting,
• preparation and use of information, analysis of data and documentation from the information system in possible negotiations related to the contract or settlement of disputes related to the project,
• monitoring the investment process in the CDE and preparing relevant financial, scheduling and execution reports for the client and the engineer.

The common data environment (CDE) and the comprehensive information solution XPERT for the electronic and financial management of individual or portfolio of construction projects in all construction phases have been entirely developed by experts from AXIS. CDE and XPERT are based on Slovenian research, development and engineering knowledge. Constructive cooperation with the investor DARS and the partner DRI represents the first major pilot project of establishing CDE on a specific project, i.e. construction of the 2nd tube of the Karavanke tunnel. With the successful introduction, training and maintenance, a standard will be set for all AC projects of DARS and simultaneously set an example of good practice. We hope our joint effort will motivate other public investors to take a bolder approach to digitalisation and Construction 4.0.

At AXIS, we are happy and proud to support sustainable planning, construction and management of infrastructure and facilities with our knowledge, experience and advanced software tools.

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The introduction and implementation of e-business and digitalization of project management in all phases of construction investment were entrusted to AXIS and its partner PROCTOR, who had won the public tender in July 2020. Introduction and implementation of a common data environment (CDE) with BIM management took place on an ongoing and largely remote basis during the COVID restrictions.

In its engineering role, AXIS defined an investment management protocol through a common project portal with predefined roles of stakeholders (client, architect and engineer) in construction processes and an early invitation for the participation of all stakeholders. Introducing the AXIS project information system XPERT secured effective financial and scheduling control of the project. In the initial, designing phase the constructive cooperation of all stakeholders has already resulted in the well-prepared tender documentation and smooth selection of the construction contractors. Upon entering the construction phase, AXIS continues to actively participate in project management monitoring, control and supervision of complete construction investment within IT XPERT environment.

AXIS has been proving that engineering, IT knowledge, experience and tailor-made construction software solutions achieve quality, timely data flow and construction management.  According to Ivan Rus, Technical Director and Partner at AXIS, the digitalization of construction processes of the new DARS office building is a textbook example of excellent high construction practice and a logical step into Construction 4.0, which strongly contradicts the claim that the Slovenian construction category is falling behind the advanced EU countries pace of digital transformation in Construction 4.0. Dedicated to its mission in achieving sustainable design, construction and management of infrastructure and facilities AXIS continue to improve daily lives and mobility for all users.

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AXIS has been involved in the preparation and construction of this demanding and design-perfect facility, which will cover over 8,000 square meters of the total gross area by establishing a common information data environment (CDE) and implementation of construction project control. Single information platform enabling stakeholders’ organization & communication, digitalization of tender/bid procedures, integrated financial planning and scheduling, e-accounting and billing of performed works, will provide a complete overview and control over costs and project development.

The implementation of CDE couldn’t have been executed without excellent and productive cooperation with the Municipality of Kamnik and is providing the utmost quality construction and active participation of all stakeholders.

“Digitalization of construction processes and ambitious steps into Construction 4.0 is our common future and provides the necessary transparency and control over public investments,” said M.Sc. Bojan Strah, managing director of AXIS, at the signing of the contract. “We are proud to use our engineering knowledge and our software tools, such as XPERT, to further pursue our mission in achieving sustainable design, construction, management and control in the Fran Albreht Primary School project, which will expand the development, knowledge and innovation of many young generations in the future.”

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AXIS is the leading company in the digitalization of construction business processes and Construction 4.0 introduction. AXIS is one of the few companies that has been developing its own specialized software solutions XPERT for construction project management for years. Together with other exhibitors, AXIS has been proving that the Slovenian construction category is digitally well equipped and has been utilising the most advanced tools in their work. Nevertheless, there are still challenges ahead, especially in the construction’s organization, integration of complementary tools and standardization of both construction processes and data.

The presentation of Slovenian software solutions, the use of digital tools and their implementation is taking place in honour of the Slovenian Presidency to the Council of the European Union 2021. The exhibition is open until the end of December 2021. You are invited to visit it in the lobby of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters.

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