Abstract: A comprehensive classification system organizes all elements potentially used in the construction of building projects to assist decision makers in the pre-design search, selection, integration, evaluation, and customization decisions related to building projects. The present system also provides a mechanism for the review and approval of elements for use in a given project from the range of potential element alternatives. It further provides a mechanism for evaluating the aggregate performance of construction built with the approved elements. It further enables the compilation of graphic, textual, and numeric data describing the selected elements into integrated construction details, specifications, energy-use audits, cost estimates, and other such forms of construction documentation. It further provides a mechanism for tracking specific construction elements in a factory, warehouse, in transit or on a construction site, for example, and linking them to information that describes them.