Track: Construction/BIM/Sustainability

National BIM Standards (NBIMS) defines BIM as, “Building Information Modeling is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. As such it serves as a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life cycle from inception onward.”

Utilizing BIM for Facilities Management (FM) has been the utopian dream of BIM enthusiasts since the inception of BIM. A fully parametric BIM can provide immediate access to information from mechanical component types and periodic maintenance records, to fixture and equipment inventories, to seating charts and disaster recovery plans.

Public agencies and large property owners have started mandating FM-BIM model deliverables as part of the project handover. Many contractors are marketing their capabilities to deliver FM-BIM models to distinguish themselves from competition.

However, a closer look at the process of delivering FM-BIM exposes that a gap exists in integrating facility related information with BIM models for efficient handover to support facility management operations. There are many technical challenges posed due to the lack of interoperability of multiple software involved. Also, there are challenges in the process of data gathering due to the current contractual framework.

This presentation will take a deeper dive in understanding the process and technology challenges in creating useful FM-BIM models and propose a roadmap to turn the utopian dream of BIM for FM into reality.

PMI Talent Triangle: Technical Project Management

Construction activities generate residual materials which are known as construction wastes. In cases where the producer takes no responsibility, the project may be affected due to the proliferation of wastes on site. For successful delivery of any construction project, effective waste minimisation is vital. However, the discourse on who should be responsible for minimising waste continue to ravage the industry. This study attempted a review of the roles and responsibilities of construction professionals viz-a-viz their liabilities and actual practices. A total of 730 questionnaire were administered to building construction professionals in Lagos, Nigeria to determine who should be responsible. Data were analysed using relative importance index (RII) and according to the results, architects were ranked first while project managers/site managers and contractors/developers were ranked second and third respectively. Results also identifies who should be responsible at the pre-construction, actual construction, and post construction stages. One of the limitations of this study is that it forms part of an ongoing research to develop a circular economy framework for minimising construction waste. In conclusion, the study recommends collaboration of all stakeholders in ensuring efficient waste minimisation at all stages of construction.

PMI Talent Triangle: Technical Project Management