Why it matters
Without it, compliance gaps and untracked changes lead to delays, failed inspections, and backlogs in post-excavation assessment and archive deposition.
From design to safety
Design
AI supports policy and guidance mapping
The system reads the written scheme of investigation, standards, and guidance to confirm alignment with CIfA requirements before trench design proceeds, cross-referencing HER links, context planning, sampling strategy, and wireframe trench layouts in a centralized matrix with version control.
- Written Scheme of Investigation Folder
- Policy Documentation Repository
- HER Reference Index
- Context Planning Files
Build
Inspection planning and setup optimization
It reads site safety plans, codes of conduct, and welfare arrangements, flags missing items, assigns field-based inspection tasks, generates field-adjusted checklists, and distributes updates to site supervisors, welfare officers, and subcontractor representatives.
- Inspection Checklist Binder
- Code of Conduct Manual
- Welfare Provision Register
- Site Safety Plan
Operation
Real-time compliance monitoring in the field
It ingests ongoing activity logs, context sheets, camera captures, and training records to verify adherence, triggers corrective actions, and maintains live dashboards showing non-conformance by trench section, shift, and team.
- Audit Trail Ledger
- Training Records Database
- Context Sheet Archive
- Photogrammetry Project Folder
Maintenance
Audit trails and documentation curation
The AI reconciles post-excavation assessments with archives, ensures document versions, approvals, and HER references are current, and generates monthly deposition briefs for the heritage team, plus archive handover checklists.
- Audit Trail Ledger
- Policy Documentation Repository
- Archive Deposition Pack
- HER Link Manager
Safety
Regulatory sign-off readiness
It cross-checks trench safety, buried services, and UXO planning against qualifications, ensuring readiness for qualified sign-off by the planning archaeologist, regulator, or curator, with escalation paths for non-conformances.
- Code of Conduct Manual
- Written Scheme of Investigation Folder
- Site Buried Services Map
- UXO Risk Register
Part by part
- 1
Written Scheme of Investigation Folder
- Watch for
- Missing or outdated context numbers, gaps between context sheets and plan; mismatch with current HER entries; incomplete sampling plan alignment.
- AI action
- Flag gaps, request updated context links, trigger update task to planner.
- 2
Policy Documentation Repository
- Watch for
- Policies out of date, conflicting procedures, or missing approval stamps; inconsistent version tagging.
- AI action
- Highlight outdated policies and generate revision tasks for governance lead.
- 3
Inspection Checklist Binder
- Watch for
- Checklist items not completed, safety controls not verified, or new hazards not reflected; non-conformance trends.
- AI action
- Create field notices and checklist refresh prompt for supervisor.
- 4
Code of Conduct Manual
- Watch for
- Ambiguities in expected professional behavior or breaches of written policy; repeated violations.
- AI action
- Generate training prompts and escalation path to welfare officer.
- 5
Audit Trail Ledger
- Watch for
- Inconsistent or missing audit entries, unclear sign-offs, or delayed approvals; tamper indicators.
- AI action
- Publish interim audit summary and assign review task to responsible officer.
- 6
Training Records Database
- Watch for
- Incomplete training records, expired certifications, or missing CPD entries; missing revalidation evidence.
- AI action
- Flag expiring certificates and request revalidation workflow.
Worked example
CIfA Compliance Check before trench 5 review
Illustrative scenario with sample data.
A development-led site of 12 hectares; mid-stage excavation; several contexts entered; HER updates pending; project-wide policy refresh scheduled.
Signal in
Written Scheme of Investigation version 3.2, ISO-compliant policy docs, daily safety checks, context sheets 124-130, training records 2026-07, HER links 2026-07, archive plan v2.
System out
AI-generated compliance report noting 2 outdated policies, 1 missing sign-off on the safety plan, 2 context-to-plan mismatches, and a list of required training expiries for the week, plus recommended sign-off actions.
Human sign-off: Project manager signs off the updated policies and assigns inspections to the site safety officer; curator approves archive plan before deposition.
How to roll it out
Phase 1
Phase 1
Baseline data ingestion and policy mapping against the latest CIfA standards, plus establishment of version-controlled templates.
Phase 2
Phase 2
Automated inspections, audit logging, and training record checks integrated with field workflows, including mobile app syncing.
Phase 3
Phase 3
Audit readiness dashboards, governance reviews, and archive deposition planning automated with sign-off routing.
Where people stay in charge
- Decisions affecting legal compliance must be validated by a qualified person or regulatory body before enactment.
- Important changes to the Written Scheme of Investigation and HER references require sign-off by the planning archaeologist or curator.
- Training and welfare policy updates must be approved by the designated professional standards lead before distribution.
Questions owners and crews ask
What constitutes a compliant Written Scheme of Investigation for a project site?
A compliant document aligns with CIfA standards, includes the agreed trenching strategy, context recording approach, and reference to the HER. It must be reviewed and approved by the project archaeologist.
How is ongoing compliance tracked during field operations?
The system monitors policy adherence, safety checks, and context recording consistency in real time, generating prompts for gaps and escalation to the supervisor.
Who signs off on audits and compliance reports?
The qualified person attaches their sign-off, with the planning archaeologist or curator responsible for final approval before archive deposition.
What records are essential for post-excavation assessment?
Audit trails, updated HER links, context maps, and training compliance records form the core post-excavation documentation for the client and regulators.