Building information modeling for facilities management: Current practices and future prospects

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has demonstrated important functional applications for architects, engineers and constructors, as both a tool and a process. However, its relative value for Facility Management (FM) has been widely debated in the industry. By leveraging the data resident in the geometric models, it can be reasoned that using BIM for FM is a valuable function of information management. The potential impact BIM has on cost reduction coupled with increased facility life cycle efficiencies are compelling arguments to keep developing and refining BIM for FM. As it continues to develop, BIM will facilitate efficiency gains in facility operations, ultimately yielding a more sustainable built environment. This chapter is a literature review of the current efforts in academia and industry that have looked at synthesizing the collection, dissemination and distribution of information through a project lifecycle and critically analyses how BIM can aid this process. It also describes the current technology that enables the said processes to occur. In conclusion, the authors present recommendations for future avenues of research.