AEC Industry Glossary

AEC Industry Glossary

Key terms and definitions used in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry.

35 terms found

Advance Payment (Avans)

Finance

Pre-payment given to the contractor before starting work or during the work process. Usually determined as a certain percentage of the contract price and deducted from progress payments.

Agile

Project Management

A flexible and iterative project management approach. Aims for rapid adaptation to changing requirements and continuous improvement. Applied particularly in software and design processes in the construction industry.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Digital

Advanced technology solutions used in the construction industry for project planning, risk analysis, cost estimation, and quality control processes. Produces predictions by learning from historical project data with machine learning algorithms.

BIM (Building Information Modeling)

Digital

The process of digitally modeling the physical and functional characteristics of a building in 3D. Provides data management throughout the lifecycle from design to demolition. It is the cornerstone of digital transformation in the AEC industry.

Building Inspection

Legal

Activities of building inspection organizations controlling project compliance, material quality, and occupational safety during the construction process. A mandatory practice under Building Inspection Law No. 4708.

Building Permit (Ruhsat)

Construction

A legal permit document required from the relevant municipality to start building construction. Confirms compliance with zoning plans and building regulations. Unlicensed construction is subject to serious sanctions.

CAD

Digital

Computer-Aided Design - the general name for computer-aided design software. Used to create 2D and 3D drawings in architecture, engineering, and construction projects. Software like AutoCAD and Revit fall into this category.

Cash Flow (Nakit Akışı)

Finance

A financial planning tool for tracking incoming and outgoing monetary resources throughout the project. Cash flow management in construction projects maintains balance between progress payments and material purchases.

Cloud Computing

Digital

Technology for hosting project data, documents, and applications on internet-accessible servers. Facilitates team collaboration and enables data synchronization between site and office.

Construction Site (Şantiye)

Construction

The working area where construction activities are carried out, temporary facilities are established, and materials are stored. Must be organized in compliance with occupational safety regulations.

Cost Estimate (Keşif)

Construction

A detailed document showing the estimated cost of a construction project. Calculated based on unit prices derived from quantity takeoff schedules. Forms the basis of tender processes and budget planning.

CPM (Critical Path Method)

Project Management

A planning technique that identifies the longest sequence of activities in a project. Reveals the minimum project completion time and activities with zero delay tolerance.

Digital Twin

Digital

An exact digital replica of a physical structure or system. Updated with real-time data to monitor building performance and run simulations. Increasingly common in smart building management.

EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)

Legal

The process of predetermining and evaluating the potential environmental effects of large-scale construction and infrastructure projects. Some projects cannot be started without EIA report approval.

Formwork (Kalıp)

Construction

Temporary structural elements used in reinforced concrete structures to give concrete the desired shape. Can be produced from wood, metal, or plastic materials. The choice of formwork system directly affects cost and quality.

Gantt Chart

Project Management

A visual planning tool that displays project activities as horizontal bars on a timeline. Each bar represents the start and end date of a task. It is the most widely used method for tracking project progress.

GIS

Digital

Geographic Information System - an information system used for collecting, storing, analyzing, and visualizing geographic data. Widely used in infrastructure projects, land management, and urban planning.

Green Building

Construction

Buildings constructed with sustainable materials that aim to minimize environmental impact with high energy and water efficiency. Evaluated by international certification systems such as LEED and BREEAM.

Invoice (Fatura)

Finance

A commercial document showing the nature, quantity, and price of goods sold or services rendered. It has become mandatory to issue through e-invoice and e-archive invoice applications digitally.

IoT

Digital

Internet of Things - technology that enables physical devices to exchange data over the internet. Used on construction sites for environmental monitoring with sensors, equipment tracking, and security systems.

KVKK (Personal Data Protection)

Legal

Turkish Personal Data Protection Law (No. 6698) - the fundamental legal framework regulating the processing of personal data in Turkey. Imposes obligations such as disclosure, explicit consent, and data security on data controllers.

Letter of Guarantee (Teminat Mektubu)

Finance

A document issued by banks guaranteeing that the contractor will fulfill contractual obligations. Various types include provisional guarantee, definitive guarantee, and advance guarantee letters.

Milestone

Project Management

Represents critical stages or completion points of important objectives in the project process. Creates reference points for evaluating overall project progress. Can be linked to progress payments.

OHS (Occupational Health and Safety)

Legal

The entirety of measures to protect the health and safety of employees. Risk assessment and safety plans are mandatory at construction sites under OHS Law No. 6331.

PERT

Project Management

Program Evaluation and Review Technique - a planning method that uses optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely time estimates considering uncertainties. Used together with CPM to provide more realistic time planning.

Progress Payment (Hakedis)

Construction

A payment document prepared based on the amount of work completed by the contractor in construction projects. Typically prepared on a monthly basis reflecting the project progress status. It is the fundamental document of the financial relationship between the client and contractor.

Project Schedule (İş Programı)

Construction

A planning document showing the timeline of all activities from start to finish of a project. Can be prepared in Gantt chart or network diagram format. It is the main tool for project tracking.

Quantity Takeoff (Metraj)

Construction

The process of measuring and calculating the material quantities and work items required for construction. Critical for accurate project budget estimation. Forms the basis of cost estimates.

Reinforcement (Demir Donatı)

Construction

Steel bars used in reinforced concrete structures to increase the tensile strength of concrete. Placed at appropriate diameters and intervals according to the project. Critically important for earthquake safety.

SGK Declaration

Legal

Official document for reporting employee entry/exit and monthly premium declarations to the Social Security Institution. Timely and accurate reporting for construction site workers is a legal requirement.

Sprint

Project Management

A cycle in Agile project management where planned work packages are executed within a specific period (usually 1-4 weeks). Each sprint aims to produce a working deliverable at its conclusion.

Subcontractor (Taşeron)

Construction

A sub-contractor who undertakes a specific work item or work group from the main contractor. Widely preferred to provide specialized workforce in the construction industry. Coordination is critical for project success.

Timesheet (Puantaj)

Construction

A document that records the daily working hours and attendance of personnel at the construction site. It is the primary data source for payroll calculations and workforce planning.

VAT Withholding (KDV Tevkifatı)

Finance

A practice where the buyer deducts a portion of VAT payable to the seller and pays it directly to the tax office in construction contracting works. A 4/10 withholding rate is commonly applied in the construction sector.

WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)

Project Management

A structure that hierarchically breaks down all work items of a project into sub-components. Enables clear definition of project scope and division of work packages into manageable parts.