AEC glossary
AEC stands for architecture, engineering, and construction: the industry that designs and delivers buildings and infrastructure. An AEC firm is a design or engineering practice working in that industry. This glossary defines the working vocabulary of AEC projects, written for architects and engineers, with each definition grounded in the governing standard or contract document where one exists.
Each entry opens with a short definition, then the practical context: who issues the document, what the design team's obligation is, and where the term sits in the project workflow.
Project communication
- ASI (Architect's Supplemental Instructions): a written architect’s instruction making a minor change with no cost or time impact.
- RFI (Request for Information): a formal written question about the contract documents, usually from the contractor to the design team.
- Transmittal: the cover record documenting the transfer of project documents between parties.
Contract and change
- Change order: a signed amendment changing the work, the contract sum, or the schedule; covers CCDs and PCOs.
- Construction administration (CA): the design team’s service phase during construction.
- Contract administration: the architect’s role administering the owner-contractor contract.
- Punch list: the items to complete or correct before final completion.
Review and delivery
- Submittal: shop drawings, product data, and samples provided for design review before work proceeds.
Information management
- CDE (Common Data Environment): the agreed single source of project information, defined in ISO 19650.
- EDMS (Electronic Document Management System): software that stores, versions, and controls access to project documents.
Frequently asked questions
What does AEC stand for?
Architecture, engineering, and construction. The abbreviation covers the industry that designs, engineers, and builds buildings and infrastructure, and is commonly used to describe firms, software, and roles within it.
What is an AEC firm?
A company working in architecture, engineering, or construction, most often used for design-side practices: architecture firms, engineering consultancies, and multidisciplinary design firms. A/E (architecture/engineering) is the narrower design-only variant.
What is the difference between AEC and A/E?
A/E covers architecture and engineering, the design professions. AEC adds construction. The terms overlap in casual use; contracts and insurance usually use A/E for design services.
Who is this glossary for?
Practitioners in design and engineering firms: the people who answer RFIs, review submittals, and run construction administration. Definitions cite the governing document (AIA A201, ISO 19650, CSI formats) so they can be checked at the source.