Digitisation and BIM management have redefined how buildings are used, constructed, and managed. You might know Building Information Modelling (BIM) from its use in construction projects. Nowadays, however, BIM is being widely adopted throughout the construction, engineering, and facilities management industries, BIM adoption rates across these sectors have reached over 80% in some countries. This means that every building project requires a solid BIM implementation strategy.
There are several ways that BIM can improve the way that facilities operate. BIM can help improve communication between different members of a project team, such as architects, engineers, and construction workers. Here are several ways that BIM can improve the way that facilities operate:
- First, BIM helps create better designs because it allows us to model complex structures digitally. First, BIM helps create better designs because it allows us to model complex structures digitally. This process allows us to test various design options before committing to a physical prototype, which can save time and money in the long run.
- Second, BIM allows managers to perform better quality control checks, which saves time and money. Second, BIM provides managers with the ability to perform more accurate quality control checks. This saves time and money by identifying potential issues before they become costly problems.
- Third, it makes collaboration easier because everyone involved has access to the same information.
BIM will help you move from a fragmented to a connected workflow across all stages of the building life cycle – from planning to building, to facility management. Let’s take a look at why BIM matters and is an essential tool for facilities management.
What is BIM (Building Information Management) and how is it used?
Building information management (BIM) is the application of digital information management principles and techniques to the design, construction, or operation of a building, facility, or property.
BIM is increasingly important in commercial real estate, government facilities, and healthcare facilities as the cost of construction rises and complex construction projects are becoming more common. BIM can help streamline the construction project process by collecting data from the very beginning, providing better insight during construction, and using live data to automate or improve building operations when construction work has been completed.
The main purpose of the Building Information Management system is to create a digital representation of the building. BIM also provides clarity on ownership of assets, which can save time and money down the line. In addition to increasing efficiency and accuracy, BIM can also improve safety by minimizing human error.
For instance, if a building’s foundation is incorrectly constructed, it could lead to structural issues such as leaks, faulty wiring, or cracking. By using BIM, these kinds of defects can be detected early on and fixed before they cause any damage.
Why do facilities managers need to adopt BIM?
BIM is a digital model of the building that is created in a virtual form. The BIM model can be used for facility management in various ways. It can be used to create digital facility management which will help with inspections, maintenance, and other tasks.
A facility management team is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a building or property. They are responsible for everything from cleaning to repairs and maintenance, and they work closely with contractors to ensure that all necessary repairs are made on time. It’s become clear that BIM is an effective solution to delivering high-quality projects efficiently, while also ensuring cost savings.
5 key benefits of Building Information Modeling for facility managers
1. Optimise operating costs
BIM can help to optimize operating costs by improving coordination and communication between different teams, making it easier to identify potential problems and find solutions. It can also help to streamline the construction process, reducing the need for rework and making it easier to track progress.
2. Manage daily tasks and inspections
BIM helps you keep track of everything that needs to be done, and delegates tasks to your team and vendors. You can monitor all activity related to the project in one place, making it easier to stay organized and on top of things. This way, you can avoid potential problems and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.
3. Get information on-the-go
Whether it’s a blueprint, warranty document, installation guide, or inventory information, keep it securely stored and accessible from anywhere with Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM provides a centralized platform for all of your construction documents, meaning you can access them from any device, anytime, anywhere. Plus, with BIM’s security features, you can rest assured that your documents are safe and sound.
4. Provide better information
A well-designed model not only assists in communicating with contractors and provides visibility into construction sites, but it also serves as a repository for relevant documents and drawings. When contractors upload files to the model, they become searchable, providing valuable documentation to stakeholders on-site. As a result of improved information sharing, contractors can provide updated plans to facilities managers more frequently, enabling them to respond quickly if problems arise.
5. Simplify documentation
Building information modeling not only helps reduce construction costs but also streamlines document creation. Instead of filling out individual spreadsheets for each task performed during construction, facilities managers can generate reports based on specific criteria, thereby reducing paperwork and speeding up the job-progressing phase. Additionally, because the model automatically saves drawings and notes taken while viewing the model, facilities managers save time by avoiding manual file transfers.
Conclusion
The practice of architectural modeling goes back to the Roman Empire and continues to thrive today. Even though BIM is relatively new, it has the potential to save money and increase efficiency in all stages of the building lifecycle. As architects and engineers become more familiar with BIM, we can expect more and more projects over the next few years to take advantage of its potential benefits. Every time you use it, you’ll feel like you’re getting a head start on the competition!
Because smart buildings are only going to get smarter, they require intelligent software to support them over their entire life cycle. To meet this requirement, BIM and facility managers can work together to create a seamless end-to-end building operations experience – no matter how large or small your project is. Each plays a crucial part before, during, and after the construction, as well as in the numerous uses the facility will serve throughout its lifetime.
Want to find out how PlanRadar can improve your facility management operations? Book a free product demo or contact us today.
