BCIS is pleased to present an XML schema for elemental cost analyses of building projects. The schema has been produced following consultation with various interested parties within the industry and it is made available for adoption wherever appropriate.

The first priority when developing the analyses schema was to be able to export analyses from the BCIS Online service which could then be imported into applications written by system houses supporting the construction industry. Subscribers to the BCIS Online service can download analyses from the system in the analyses XML format and some third party applications now support BCIS analyses XML files.

This definition is designed to facilitate the exchange of elemental cost analyses of building projects using a standard form of cost analysis (sfca). All the examples are based on the BCIS Standard Form of Cost Analysis (1973 edition), but the schema is intended to be capable of working with other forms of analysis.

Version 1.0 of the BCIS analyses schema can be found at http://www.bcis.co.uk/xml/analyses_v10.xsd. An example xml file based on this schema is available. An Overview of the Schema is also available.

Another important role for the new schema is the potential for submitting analyses to BCIS for publication. Analyses would not be entered directly in XML format, but the same system houses which will be configuring their systems to import analyses will also be adding the ability to export analyses in this format. 

BCIS also provides an application which can be used to enter analyses and then saved as an analyses XML file.  This application is available free of charge to subscribers either on CD-Rom or via a download.  Please contact us for a copy of the CD-Rom, email: bcis@bcis.co.uk or click here to download now.