The Owner Imperative: Top Three Benefits of BIM-enabled Facility Management

The Owner Imperative (2)

There’s considerable discussion in the industry about the value of building information modeling (BIM) and common data environments (CDEs) to drive better outcomes during the design and construction of an asset. Yet, only a small number of owners are truly realizing the value of that data beyond the build. Many owners spend months or years after a building is constructed gathering information to support facilities management teams. In reality, so much of that data can be included in the hand-off if a strategic approach is taken.

Here are three compelling reasons why every owner should seriously consider adopting BIM for facility and portfolio management as a foundation for optimizing operations, facility management, and sustainability.


Operational Analytics: Operational analytics transform raw data into actionable insights, revealing how your building performs daily. Through continuous optimization, waste and costs are minimized, empowering owners to make strategic decisions that enhance asset value. Operational analytics through Internet of Things (IOT) devices and facility management platforms are improving energy management and space utilization, leading to significant cost savings and a stronger ROI. Driven by data and dashboards, property management teams can begin to make impactful decisions for their portfolio.


Here’s one example. The Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW) pediatric care facility in Springdale, Arkansas, has 233,000 square feet of inpatient beds, emergency care, diagnostic and surgical services, and clinical space. During the facility’s construction, ACNW leveraged BIM from the design and construction processes to fully populate its computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). Data was captured at every stage and then published into a common data environment.



The success of this effort required early coordination with the design and construction partners and most notably, the creation of a facility management-focused specification. These standards and specifications included assets, attributes, collection procedures, delivery dates, and who was to collect every piece of data. ACNW estimates that having the asset data in Autodesk BIM 360 saved them nearly 2,100 staff hours during the first year of operation.


Space Utilization Management: Optimizing space utilization ensures that every part of your facility is used efficiently, reduces wasted space, and increases productivity. For owners, this means maximizing the return on your investment. The real-world benefits include lower overhead costs and improved employee satisfaction. Strategically, effective space utilization aids in planning for future needs without unnecessary expansions, reducing the need for costly renovations or recapturing income-producing space, further enhancing ROI.

At Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, facility managers use 3D models to help people visualize planned renovations. When planning a large or small renovation, the facilities information department can provide building users with a realistic model of the proposed changes early in the planning process. That same model becomes the foundation for the design/construction teams to proceed, ensuring everyone is on the same page from the beginning.

Digital Twin Processes: The future of design, build, operate is the digital twin. A digital twin is a 3D virtual replica of your building that is packed with real-world data of systems and equipment captured throughout the construction lifecycle. This technology ensures owners start with the right data to proactively manage their assets, reducing disruptions, and increasing operational efficiency. Digital twins simplify maintenance and resource allocation while facilitating better planning for future needs. Communicating your needs from the beginning of the design process can be done by developing comprehensive BIM standards and specifications ensuring you have the deliverables you need from the beginning.


Speak to one of our technical experts to take your next steps.

Related Articles