12 Good Reasons to Adopt BIM for Facilities Management

Despite the fact that the use of the BIM[1] methodology in Facilities Management is becoming ever more important for all organizations for both economic and environmental reasons, BIM software adoption for facilities operation and maintenance (O&M) remains poor.

Distribution and sharing of information by the Facilities Management Team is crucial to achieving cost efficient and high performing facilities, however, 3-D BIM visualization and modeling software is generally very sophisticated, relatively expensive, and very complex.   Current 3-D BIM software targets sophisticated users who focus upon design yet are ill-suited to support or engage in Facilities Management functions.

Complex 3-D visualization type of software is SIMPLY NOT REQUIRED to practice efficient life-cycle management of the built environment.  What is required is an integrated, customer focused service delivery approach based upon LEAN collaborative construction design and delivery methods, a common data environment that transparently shares detailed technical and locally researched actionable and standardized cost information, and the integration of multiple cloud-based technologies to effectively manage each core domain and competencies of facility life-cycle management.

Twelve (12) reasons for facilities managers to adopt change management and relevant technologies in support of BIM strategy and implementation:

1.      LEAN Construction Delivery, the foundation of the efficient management of the built environment, have a proven track record. Examples such as integrated project delivery and job order contracting (JOC) deliver over 90% of renovation, repair, and new construction project on-time, on-budget, and to the satisfaction of all participants and stakeholders.[2]

2.      There are no barriers to integrating various BIM technologies and LEAN processes, except that of the need for Owners to provide leadership, and for all organization to successfully drive change management.

3.      3-D visualization is already rooted in design and construction phases and is therefore inevitable that it is also adopted in the subsequent operation and maintenance phase, and integrated with other competencies and tools (however, again, is not a requirement).

4.      LEAN construction delivery, common data environments, and open cloud-based technologies enable measurable gains in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, collaboration, and transparency.

5.      Collaborative LEAN construction delivery and supporting BIM methods and technologies will become the standardized method for Facilities Management, regardless of the size of an organization.

6.      The focus of BIM upon life-cycle costs versus first drives continuous improvement and provides major environmental benefits, such a lowering carbon footprints.

7.      BIM’s collaborative LEAN construction process are beneficial for all types of projects – public and private sector and all types of properties – hospitals, commercial buildings, residential buildings, etc.

8.      Cost of implementation is insignificant versus cost savings.

9.      The expertise and involvement of Facilities Managers during the initial concept development and design through deconstruction is crucial to ensuring life-cycle performance of the building/physical asset.

10.  Current inventory and location, condition, and detailed service plans and costs of building components and technology assets are uniquely stored, traceable, and readily accessed.

11.  Information and asset inventory can be viewed in a wide variety of ways depending upon user needs: displaying all the premises using pictures, 3D models, 2D CAD, detailed line items in list view, etc.

12.  Operation and Maintenance are now part of an overall integrated service delivery approach.

Solutions such as Building in Cloud, allow, via access through any device (desktop, tablet, or smartphone and a Web browser) access to a full range of facilities management information and associated proven LEAN collaborative workflows/processes.

Have you some cases of successful implementation of BIM in the Facility management processes to highlight and you would like to bring to the attention of those working in the industry?

If yes please comment on this post, or email me, and we will share your experience with others! info@4BT.US

[1] BIM is defined as the efficient life-cycle management of the built environment supported by digital technologies.

[2] For JOC, due to the need for negotiations on individual delivery orders and the lack of a defined scope of work at the beginning of the contract, teamwork and frequent communication are required for a successful contract. . A formal =partnering process is required in JOC to focus the parties in that direction. In addition, many JOC contracts employ a negotiated source selection based upon best value procurement.

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