Construction Terms

Welcome to the Volanti Displays AEC Glossary, a comprehensive resource of construction terms and terminology designed to help professionals in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries navigate the complex terminology of digital workflows. If you have suggestions for other terms, please let us know.

Plan Review & Markup Terms

• As-Built Drawings – Final drawings that reflect all changes made during construction, showing the actual built conditions.
• Layering – A feature in digital drawings that allows users to separate different elements (e.g., structural, electrical, plumbing) for easier review.
• Markup – Digital annotations, highlights, or drawings added to construction plans for edits, clarifications, or approvals.
• Redlining – The act of marking up a drawing with red lines to indicate required changes, errors, or modifications.
• Revision Tracking – The ability to log and track changes made to a digital plan over time.
• Plan Review – The process of examining and assessing architectural, structural, and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) drawings for accuracy, compliance, and constructability.
• Stamping & Approvals – Digital seals or stamps that indicate plan approval or rejection by an architect, engineer, or project manager.
• Takeoff – The process of measuring and quantifying materials, labor, and costs from a set of construction plans.
• Version Control – A system that ensures all stakeholders work with the latest version of a document or drawing.

Construction Industry Digital Workflow Terms

• BIM (Building Information Modeling) – A 3D model-based process for creating and managing digital representations of physical buildings and infrastructure.
• Blueprint Digitization – The process of converting physical paper blueprints into digital formats for easier review and collaboration.
• CAD (Computer-Aided Design) – The use of software to create precision drawings and models of buildings and components.
• Clash Detection – The process of identifying conflicts between different building systems (e.g., plumbing vs. electrical) before construction begins.
• Construction Takeoff Software – A tool that allows estimators to measure materials, labor, and costs directly from digital blueprints.
• Digital Twin – A real-time digital representation of a physical building that is continuously updated with data from the project site.
• Field Coordination – The process of ensuring that all teams on a construction project are aligned, often using digital tools for communication.
• RFIs (Requests for Information) – Formal inquiries made during the construction process to clarify project details.
• Punch List – A list of final tasks, issues, or corrections needed before a construction project is considered complete.
• Parametric Design - A design approach where elements are defined by parameters and rules, allowing the model to automatically adapt when inputs or constraints change.
• Parametric Workflow - A process framework driven by adjustable parameters, enabling tasks, outputs, or dependencies to update dynamically as project variables evolve.
• Parametric Writing - The application of rule-based, parameter-driven methods to text, producing adaptive documents (e.g., reports or specifications) that update automatically when inputs or conditions change. This currently exists as dynamic reporting, data-driven text, or template based specifications.

Hardware & Touchscreen Display Terms

• 4K UHD Display – A high-resolution screen (3840×2160 pixels) that provides detailed plan visualization.
• Capacitive Touchscreen – A type of touchscreen technology that responds to the touch of a finger or a stylus without requiring pressure.
• Glove-Friendly Touchscreen – A display designed to work even when users wear construction gloves.
• Multi-Touch Display – A screen that supports multiple simultaneous touch points for more intuitive interactions.
• Plan Review Table – A large-format, interactive touchscreen display designed specifically for viewing, marking up, and analyzing construction plans.
• Pressure-Sensitive Stylus – A digital pen that responds to different levels of pressure, allowing for precise markups on construction plans.
• Stylus or Pen Technology – An input method that offers natural input for drawing, writing, and annotating digital blueprints.
• Tabletop Display – A large touchscreen that is positioned horizontally, mimicking the experience of working on a drafting table.
• Tilt Mechanism – The ability to adjust the display angle for different working positions (e.g., laying flat for collaboration or tilted for presentations).

Software & Collaboration Tools for Digital Construction

• Augmented Reality (AR) Plan Review – Using AR technology to overlay digital construction plans onto real-world environments for enhanced visualization.
• Construction Management Software – Tools like Procore, Autodesk Build, PlanGrid, and Bluebeam that help manage construction projects and documents.
• Cloud-Based Document Storage – Online platforms like Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive that store construction plans for easy access.
• Gesture Controls – Hand-motion-based navigation used to zoom, pan, and interact with digital blueprints without touching the screen directly.
• PDF Annotation Tools – Software that enables users to highlight, draw, and comment on digital blueprints in PDF format.
• Plan Review Software – A digital platform that enables architects, engineers, and contractors to review, edit, and approve plans electronically.
• Remote Collaboration Tools – Features like screen sharing, video conferencing, and live document editing that enable distributed teams to work together.

Estimating & Cost Analysis Terms

• Bid Management – The process of reviewing contractor and subcontractor bids based on project plans and estimates.
• Cost Estimating Software – Digital tools that help estimators calculate labor, materials, and other expenses.
• Change Order Management – A system for tracking and approving modifications to the original construction contract.
• Quantity Takeoff (QTO) – The process of measuring and counting materials from a digital construction plan to estimate costs.

Presentation & Client Engagement Terms

• 3D Model Integration – The ability to view and manipulate 3D BIM models on a touchscreen display.
• Side-by-Side Plan Comparison – A feature that allows users to compare different versions of a blueprint simultaneously.
• Stakeholder Review Meetings – Digital plan review sessions where architects, engineers, and project managers collaborate remotely or in person.
• Touchscreen Presentations – Interactive on-screen presentations that allow clients and stakeholders to engage with construction plans dynamically.
• Zoom & Pan Functionality – The ability to magnify and navigate large-scale construction plans for better detail inspection.

Industry Compliance & Standards

• ADA Compliance (Americans with Disabilities Act) – Regulations that ensure accessible design in construction projects.
• AIA Standards (American Institute of Architects) – Guidelines that govern architectural documentation and project management.
• CSI MasterFormat – A standardized coding system used in construction specifications.
• OSHA Safety Regulations – Workplace safety guidelines for construction environments.