My personal appraisal of this research project

• The learning experience was extensive. I gained a lot of knowledge, also from the various eConstruct meetings. It really sparked my interest for this field of research

• I managed to attain almost all objectives of this research project. The prototype proves that it is possible to use XML to communicate meaningfully in the building and construction industry without being constrained by different languages.

• The prototype could to my taste have been made prettier. The functionality is in place and is working, but it is a bit too much of a "dirty hack". But, when the day is over, it is a prototype after all.

I was sent out into the wide, wide world to scout the terrain and to bring back interesting technologies, useful for the building and construction industry. This I have done, choosing my own roads and picking up those items I found interesting or useful. The reader should regard this document as a scout's report, showing the possibilities of the terrain and depicting the rich lands ahead. It is my advice, as a scout, to order the entire column to march down the road and to cultivate the territory ahead, for the Internet and XML are going to be very, very useful for the building and construction industry.