A framework for IT use and integration.

There are several stages in developing and using information technology to deliver its full benefits to building design for the construction industry:

1 . Specifying the user need

2. Developing application software

3. Testing and validating technical programs

4 . Encouraging understanding and use of appropriate systems

5. Integrating individual applications across disciplines

6. Establishing the right standards and commercial framework for integration.

The first three of these are well established for energy and environmental software. There is a large amount of software available and a number of studies have compared the results from some of these. This paper is concerned with the last three stages