Matching Items (2)
Description
Building information modeling (BIM) has already sparked changes in design and construction practices, ranging from new methods to coordinate work during design to supporting paperless construction sites where crews use handheld devices in lieu of paper plans. It is seen as the starting point for the larger picture, virtual design and construction (VDC). While some research has explored the feasibility of using BIM for Facilities Management (FM) this practice is yet to become widely accepted and integrated. This paper explores how VDC could improve the operations of a Facilities Management department at a large state university. Specifically, the authors examine the degree to which institutional requirements foster BIM use during building operations, the ability of models to interface with existing FM software, and the willingness of FM executives to incorporate BIM into their processes. The authors also discuss the sorts of information contained in building models that FM could find most useful, and highlight those pieces of information required for FM that many building models do not contain. Finally, the paper closes with a set of recommendations about how to create building models that more seamlessly integrate into existing Facilities Management processes at the university studied, in order to draw a set of recommendations that may apply more broadly to state universities and similar institutions.
ContributorsHebel, Natasha Faith (Author) / Parrish, Kristen (Thesis director) / Ayer, Steven (Committee member) / Del E. Webb School of Construction (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
Facilities Management is a service that should follow economic concepts of “value added” and “cost-effectiveness.” Facilities sites and campuses can be divided into geographic facilities maintenance zones to improve response time, coordination of trades, customer service, and the ownership or accountability of technicians. Facilities zone maintenance teams of multi-trade technicians can work together in a dynamic partnership to significantly reduce costs and do more with less. Six months of field research, case studies, and crew balance analysis of primary quantitative data was used to deductively evaluate the effectiveness of the zone maintenance model. To fill gaps in skilled labor, reduce maintenance costs, and increase available skilled labor capacity the maintenance zone implemented a strategy to better utilize and schedule the labor of unskilled entry level maintenance technicians. A teamwork approach was also used to share the collective multi-trade workload and allow the zone maintenance crew to accomplish more than individual technicians could do alone.
A comprehensive literature review revealed an alarming lack of facilities management research and the vast disconnect between academic assumptions and practical real-world applications. It is evident from the case studies that more effective utilization of unskilled labor and harnessing the unique capacity of a multi-trade team are important competitive advantages of the facilities zone maintenance model. These intangible contributions and the value added to the organization can be measured and quantified through careful data collection and analysis. These studies are a reminder that significant maintenance cost savings can be achieved by eliminating labor waste and crew scheduling inefficiencies. Value can be added to the organization by reducing these and other intangible costs by focusing on continuous improvement, productivity, efficiency, and effective workflow.
ContributorsMathews, Paul (Author) / Sullivan, Kenneth (Thesis advisor) / Hurtado, Kristen (Committee member) / Standage, Richard (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022