12 Good Reasons to Adopt BIM for Facilities Management

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

The distribution and sharing of information required by the Facilities Management Team is crucial to achieving planned efficiency results, however, 3-D BIM visualization and modeling software is generally very sophisticated, relatively expensive, and very complex.

The fact is that current 3-D BIM software is designed for sophisticated users who focus upon design yet are ill-suited to support or engage BIM in Facility Management Processes.   

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 the an integrated, outcome and customer focused service delivery approach based upon LEAN collaborative construction design and delivery methods. A common data environment that transparently shares detailed technical and cost information. Tthe integration of multiple cloud-based technologies that effective manage each core domain of facility life-cycle management.

12 reasons for facilities managers to adopt BIM in Facility Management Processes:

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 deliver over 90% of renovation, repair, and new construction project on-time, on-budget, and to the satisfaction of all participants and stakeholders.
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 collaborative LEAN construction process are beneficial for all types of projects. Public and private sector and all types of properties like 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.

Our Solutions

Solutions as NEXT.FM or 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? 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!

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