How Experts Verify Construction Quality

Feb 2, 2025

Behind every OVOVTEC report is a person—an OVOVTEC expert—who takes responsibility for documenting and assessing public construction in their town. But what does “expert” actually mean in this context, and how do they verify construction quality in a fair and transparent way?


Who Are OVOVTEC Experts?

OVOVTEC experts are trusted local representatives who go through an application and vetting process before they’re allowed to submit official project assessments.

They may be:

  • Community leaders
  • Engineers or engineering students
  • Teachers, professionals, or civic volunteers
  • Active members of local NGOs or youth groups

The key requirement isn’t a specific job title—it’s trustworthiness, commitment, and basic training in what to look for in public works.


Step 1: Documenting the Project

When an expert visits a project site, they use the OVOVTEC web app to:

  1. Create or select a project record – including project name, type (e.g., road, school building, flood control), and location.
  2. Capture evidence – photos or videos from multiple angles, close-ups of materials, and any visible signs of defects or incompleteness.
  3. Add notes – including dates, observed issues, and any relevant context (e.g., “billboard says completion date was 3 months ago, but project still unfinished”).

This raw documentation is the foundation of every OVOVTEC assessment.


Step 2: Applying Clear Status Tags

Every project is tagged with one of three statuses:

  • Up to standard – The project appears present, complete, and built to an acceptable level of quality based on visual inspection and basic criteria.
  • Substandard – The project is present, but there are visible issues: poor materials, sloppy workmanship, cracks, uneven surfaces, or incomplete sections.
  • Ghost project – There is no visible construction at the supposed project site, despite public information indicating that funds have been allocated or the project is “complete.”

These tags are simple enough for the public to understand, but structured enough for data analysis and AI training later on.


Step 3: Staying Objective and Evidence-Based

Verification isn’t guesswork. Experts are encouraged to:

  • Focus on observable facts (e.g., “no bridge present at coordinates,” “visible rebar exposed,” “standing water where drainage should be”).
  • Take timestamped photos from multiple angles.
  • Compare what they see to any posted project signages or public documentation.

This emphasis on evidence ensures that reports can stand up to scrutiny—from citizens, media, and even government agencies.


Step 4: Community Feedback and Correction

Once a report is published:

  • Guest users can view it, comment, and ask questions.
  • Others in the community can confirm or add more photos.
  • Upvotes/downvotes help surface credible, well-documented reports.

If new information emerges, experts can update a project’s status (for example, from ghost to up to standard once construction actually begins and is completed properly).


The Role of AI in the Future

Over time, the photos and labels provided by experts become training data for OVOVTEC’s machine learning model, which aims to automatically evaluate construction quality based on images and project data.

In early stages, AI quietly learns behind the scenes. Once it is accurate enough, it will start suggesting status tags (e.g., “likely substandard”) to assist experts—not replace them. AI becomes a second opinion that helps scale verification efforts to thousands of projects nationwide.