Value Delivery in Facilities Management - A BIM-Based Approach

Open Access
- Author:
- Terreno, Saratu Nancin
- Graduate Program:
- Architectural Engineering
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- April 19, 2018
- Committee Members:
- Chimay Anumba, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Chimay Anumba, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Somayeh Asadi, Committee Member
Donghyun Rim, Committee Member
Ute Poerschke, Outside Member
Somayeh Asadi, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Craig Richard Dubler, Special Member - Keywords:
- Building Information Modeling
Facilities Management
Information Technology
Lean
BIM Implementation
Value Delivery - Abstract:
- The potential of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to add value to the practice of Facilities Management (FM) has long been discussed. The usefulness of the digital deliverables especially within asset management, and particularly in operations and maintenance has been described by numerous authors. Crucial to this is the potential integration of information, which would serve to increase efficiency and productivity on the job and in turn positively impact the primary organization’s mission and goals. Other BIM concepts such as collaboration would also improve on present organizational culture by further inculcating the precept of teamwork and open information sharing. However, research has shown that FM organizations have been lagging in the uptake of BIM, especially in comparison to their project counterparts in design and construction. Challenges such as the lack of demonstrated and recorded examples of successful implementation, and a similar dearth of a structured method for implementation have been vocalized. Owners similarly demand a justification of returns or demonstrated value for their potential investment as reassurance for venturing into the game-changing prospect of BIM implementation. Indeed, the implementation of a new way of working with a different format of information would have a far-reaching effect on all aspects of managerial strategy, organizational culture and process and on existing technological structures. In answer to the demonstrated need this study aims to provide real-life examples of the implementation experiences of early adopters. To this effect three tertiary educational institutions have been chosen - owing to their large asset bases, owner-operator statuses and their progressive mindset with respect to the adoption of the new concept. Value stream mapping of organizational processes will identify areas of potential waste or non-value-adding activities, and also areas of potential value-adding opportunities. This would lead to the development of a value-focused process model which would streamline their processes and inculcate a strategic implementation. The probe will take into consideration the multiple facets of organizational culture and processes, managerial strategy and technological aspects; on both organizational and project levels. The lifecycle approach to a process-focused value-delivery of BIM would serve to foster a more holistic consideration, as potential added value and waste have been shown to increase in magnitude down through the lifecycle of a facility. The study will conclude with the development of a Value-Delivery Process Model with a mapped value stream, showing value-opportunity points for strategic analysis and implementation. A web-based IT tool will also be developed to aid the organizations in assessment of their value-delivery potential which will further serve to instill a higher level of value-focused thinking. It is expected that this study will increase knowledge in this area, and serve as a boost to inculcate value-focused strategic implementation of BIM in FM.