Alsaleem B2 - Group C BIM for Owners and Managers

There is no doubt that BIM has transformed the engineering and construction industry in a very effective way. BIM introduced efficient methods for planning and designing structures of any size. BIM can also be worked throughout the lifecycle of an entire portfolio of amenities. As any system and new technology, the BIM technology has its pros and cons especially on the owners and facility managers. 

Figure 1: BIM for Facility Managers

The biggest advantages of BIM use for owners and facility managers are: 

Enhanced planning and design: By using the BIM technology, facility managers have the ability to visualise the resulted building and study all its components. This allows them to adjust specifics, add few details before any field work even starts!

Efficient use of Energy: BIM can help facilitate to analyse and compare various energy alternatives to help facility managers reduce environmental impacts and operating costs. By analysing the costs and the savings of various facility improvements, facility managers gain a tool to optimize building performance over the life of the building.

Streamlined Maintenance and Fewer Reworks: The information about building equipment stored in BIM models can eliminate hours of effort to accurately manage maintenance systems. BIM allows managers to see potential problem areas and fix them before the error is committed physically on the construction field. This reduces the need of costly work and revision.

However, the cons of BIM use for owners and facility managers are: 

Inconsistency with partners: BIM is not yet universally used among professionals in the field. There is always the possibility that one of the partners or subcontractors may face difficulties using the BIM technology.

Cost of software: BIM software requires large investments in new technology. The advantages usually make the investment worthwhile, but only if the software is used to its full capacity. Not every manager will take the risk on running on the technologies, especially the smaller companies.

Lack of experts in the field: The relative newness of BIM means that there are limited numbers of experts working in the field. The software purchase may require an additional investment in training and education. Having the system without the professionals is just a waste of money.

Sources:

https://fmsystems.com/blog/the-benefits-of-lifecycle-bim-for-facility-management/

https://www.constructionmonitor.com/blog/2015/12/03/pros-cons-of-using-a-bim-model-for-your-next-project/

http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1118382811.html

http://www.facilitiesnet.com/software/article/BIM-who-what-how-and-why-Facilities-Management-Software-Feature--7546

Figure: http://www.areadevelopment.com/AssetManagement/Q2-2013/building-information-modeling-facility-management-0272892.shtml

Responses:  

Ronald Herazo: I enjoyed how you wrote much in depth about the 3D modelling explaining it all from the beginning. It was nice to learn the history of how engineers started to specify the shapes in these softwares identifying the elements and defining them as angles, attachments and etc.

Hayley Selden: It was interesting reading your blog and how there is different use of BIM software between owners and contractors. I like how you explained all the ways of BIM implements and how contractors can benefit from. I knew about managers of facilities from the readings, but also I expanded my knowledge after reading yours learning from more aspects in the field. 

Drew Hovey: you explained a very interesting tool, the parametric modelling, to design and easy way for construction. As I read the blogs I learned that there are many tools that can be used and every tool or software has its benefits and cons. I also benefited from the example of John Deere that you mentioned, but if I can ask. Do you think that sending design-for-manufcaturing will be expanded to even small companies, or is it going to vanish with all these new tools and people can rely on their creativities to produce various products?