BIM Benefits for Facilities Management

Facilities management deals with the management, safety and efficiency of a building or facility. Efficient management of a facility depends upon the integration of information, process, data, people, and technology.

Managing a facility is no easy task. Facility managers have to ensure continued, smooth running and the safety of the building inhabitants at all times. This requires a great deal of data and people coordination. The topmost challenges, faced by facility managers today, are –

• integrating data
• accessibility to data
• keeping records
• controlling costs
• coordinating with the teams
• managing aging equipment and buildings
• anticipating disruption
• taking timely action

BIM and Facilities Management

Effective facility management starts with gathering complete data about the building itself when it is occupied by its inhabitants. Even a single piece of missing information can prove hazardous for the facility manager during an emergency.

A lot of data is generated during construction, and not all of it is synchronized. Every individual contractor involved in the construction phase uses different tools and models to generate and manage relevant data. Using different software can also lead to incompatibility and confusion. This leads to the need for a centralised platform to share, and control data.

BIM helps in reducing the inconsistencies in the base data when the building is created. And the value can continue as the data builds up as the building operations carry on. BIM incorporates all the changes made over time in a facility’s design, thereby providing the facility managers complete, up-to-date data.

In addition to the centralisation of data and information, BIM plays a vital role in addressing facilities management challenges.

Data Accessibility

BIM information is recorded and stored digitally. This makes it easier to maintain records and prevent any loss of information. All data is available to find whenever needed. Since facilities managers need access to all information at all times, data in digital format is a great help. This can help to avoid miscommunication and any resulting errors, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of facilities management.

Seamless flow of information

BIM software makes it possible for accurate information to be shared seamlessly among all teams. The centralised platform can be accessed by facility managers, team members, maintenance contractors, and equipment vendors, as and when needed. This allows the all teams to communicate efficiently and align their efforts during an emergency.

It's clear that BIM is not only useful during construction but also for maintenance and other purposes.

To learn more about San Francisco as-builts, drawings and surveys or to request a quote, call Precision Property Measurements at 855-272-8458. Whether you own a house, or a complex commercial project with multiple locations, PPM’s highly-trained team of As-Built surveyors, drafters, project managers, and quality assurance staff are experts in both residential and commercial buildings. 

About This Author

Precision Property Measurements Joined: February 5th, 2019