A Framework for Integrating Building Information Modelling with Operations and Maintenance for Buildings

Abstract

The revolutionising of Building information modelling (BIM) has altered and transformed the concept of building management. However, its application in the operation and maintenance (O&M) phase remains limited. This indicates a missing opportunity to achieve a good return of investment (ROI) in the O&M stage, especially as it almost account for 60% of life cycle costs. To achieve effectiveness in integrating BIM with O&M, facility managers and building owners require the right level of detail for the information requirements that would facilitate this integration. However, the literature indicates that a primary factor contributing to the gradual incorporation of BIM with the O&M stage is informed by the lack of precise information requirements (IRs) to guide this integration. Additionally, to successfully leverage BIM with O&M and address these IRs to support this integration, a rigour methodology for assessing the operational readiness and maturity for BIM with O&M is needed. This thesis investigates the key IRs that facilitate BIM and O&M integration, along with their respective priorities. Additionally, this research conceptualises capability maturity model integration (CMMI), for the development of the integrated BIM and O&M Maturity Assessment Tool. The methodology comprised a systematic review of literature, followed by expert verification. Then, a two-round Delphi process was conducted to determine the significance of the identified categories and their respective IRs. After that, the Voting Analytical Hierarchy Process (VAHP) was applied to ascertain their global weights. The findings of the study revealed twenty-one distinct IRs which are classified into five main categories, namely, general, strategic, operational, commercial, and continuous improvement IRs. Results show that the topmost important categories, in accordance with the global weights, are the general and the operational IRs, respectively. These IRs have been incorporated into the BIM and O&M maturity assessment tool. The proposed tool enables business owners and industry experts to assess their BIM and O&M maturity based on a five stages rating scheme across five main categories along with their respective twenty-one IRs. To ensure effectiveness and practicality of the tool, twenty-two experts participated in a validation exercise through an evaluation questionnaire. Results indicate that the assessment model serves as a valuable tool for industry practitioners in the construction sector, enabling them to assess their current operational readiness, highlight the areas of strength and deficiency and subsequently prioritise investments to optimise maintenance systems. The proposed model acts as a reference point for continuous improvement and enable policy makers and decision makers to optimise their maintenance regime.