Todays
the role of information in construction project is vital. How the
information is generated, stored, shared and used is a key in success of
construction projects. Building Information Modeling (BIM), as a
digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a
facility, has attracted much attention in recent years. BIM is a tool
that can enhance stakeholders' understanding about the project by
visualizing its physical attributes and integrating its required
information. In fact, the goal for the development of a model, is that
all the information of the building during its whole lifecycle would be
available for different parties involve. In fact, BIM offers a platform
for enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration to insert, extract, update,
or modify information. During the operation and maintenance phase of a
building lifecycle, BIM provides a graphical representation for facility
managers to monitor the operation of the building, manage space and
also creates an integrated digital repository for all properties of the
building. In other words, by adding new dimensions to 3D models, BIM has
a potential to be applied in operation and maintenance phase of
construction projects. Yet, the question is what and which type of
information should be considered in models to cover stakeholders' needs
in operation and maintenance phase. The available models consider
architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical maintenance of the
building. However, in most cases these models ignore factors such as
strategic management of the facility, accounting, and asset value
management. Thus, the aim of this research is to find out other
dimensions required to consider in BIM that can meet the needs of
facility managers. Four methodological phases were defined to reach the
aim of the research. First, a comprehensive literature review are
carried out to recognize factors that have been considered in facility
management information model developed by other researches so far.
Second, interviews will be conducted with facility management experts to
identify factors that should be added to the available information
models for facility management. Interviewing will be continued up to the
point that data saturation can be achieved. Third, gathered information
will be inputted into Vectorworks (student version) software to develop
a new model. Fourth, two real projects with common characteristics will
be studied to evaluate the effectiveness of the new model. In the first
project (target group) the new model that was developed based on
interviewees' ideas will be implemented. In the second project (control
group) the model that was developed based on literature review will be
used. The result will be compared to recognize which model offers more
accurate representation of time, cost and quality. The final product is
an integrated digital repository that enables facility managers to
enhance their performance during operation and maintenance phase of the
project by storing enough information, easier access to them and faster
data processinglink