Developing a BIM based asset management strategy - first highlights from specific client case study

Abstract

Asset managers require meaningful asset data in order to effectively manage their assets. Asset owners from the public and private sectors are increasingly adopting Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the lifecycle of their investments in order to improve asset data delivery, operations and maintenance practices. Despite this momentum, there is insufficient understanding by asset owners of the right standards, processes and policies to follow in delivering such data. Therefore, further awareness and research are needed to develop good BIM implementation practices in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Owner and Operator (AECOO) industry in order to improve the adoption of BIM-based processes by asset owners. The paper seeks to understand the current Asset Management (AM) methods and further aims to develop a BIM-based AM strategy that focuses on the development of a consolidated Asset Information Model (AIM) that can support building information management with the optional requirement of 3D-models in a specific client case study. The case study is a public asset owner that manages residential buildings and social housing. The purpose of the paper is to frame, evaluate and test the defined strategic approach based on organisational requirements and established AM development stages. The first stage which is covered by this paper involves the development of a BIM-based AM strategy that is based on non-graphical data and documentation. The research, methodology and outcomes led to the following results: (a) developing better understanding by the asset owner and improved awareness of the difficulties of implementing the defined BIM-based AM strategy in a practical case study; (b) identifying generic barriers and obstacles relating to the implementation of a BIM-based approach in managing asset data of all building stock owned by the public asset owner; (c) highlighting direct uses of the strategy and benefits towards future asset operation and maintenance actions; (d) demonstrating the business value of BIM across building maintenance actions and new construction processes.