About

This is  a personal blog by Peter Cholakis (#pcholakis4c), published to share and gain information relative to high performance buildings, and more specifically how to measure and implement the concept of a life-cycle management of the built environment – BIM.   The focus it NOT upon 3D visualization, which while important, has been an unfortunate distraction from the critical need to move forward with efficient construction project delivery methods.

This blog’s focus is upon the business-processes, best-practices, terms, metrics, and technologies that can be leveraged to help the AECOO sector (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations, Owner) shift from a preoccupation with first costs to a life cycle and/or total cost of ownership mindset.

It is important to move from archaic and antagonistic project delivery methods such as design-bid-built, and even more recent attempts to improve DBB such as design-build, to Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and Job Order Contracting (JOC).   The latter is a form of IPD specifically targeting facility renovation, repair, sustainability, and minor new construction.

All the above are relevant to both the global economy and the environment.

Please also visit  www.jocexcellence.org to learn more about JOC – Job Order Contracting.

1. Owners pay the bills in the construction industry across government, corporate and institutional markets.

“Planning and Budgeting” is perceived as the #1 area for process improvement. Cost estimating accuracy is the #1 impact of risk to the organization. – Construction Financial Managers (CFMA) Study – 2008

2.   Renovation is emerging as more significant than new construction.

Owners are looking for reliable reference cost data to:

1. Validate internal and external repair, maintenance, and construction estimates,
2. More accurately project multi-year capital budgets, and
3. Implement JOC delivery models for renovation projects under $10 million (though total JOC programs can reach $300M+)

3.   Sustainability and a High-Performance Building approach are core components of the construction decision-making process.

Climate change issues affect choices of building products.

What is a high-performance building?

A building that integrates and optimizes all major high-performance building attributes, including energy efficiency, durability, life-cycle performance, and occupant productivity. – Energy Policy Act, 2005, Section 915

A building that integrates and optimizes all major high-performance attributes on a life-cycle basis: energy conservation, environment, safety, security, durability, accessibility, cost-benefit, productivity, sustainability, functionality, and operational considerations. – Energy Independence and Security Act, 2007, Title IV, Section 401

High-performance buildings, which address human, environmental, economic and total societal impact, are the result of the application of the highest-level design, construction, operation, and maintenance principles—a paradigm change for the built environment. – High Performance Building Council

What is a High-Performance Building Management System?

High Performance Building Management System

About Me:

• SVP and Cofounder of Four BT, LLC (4BT), provider of locally researched line-item cost data organized via CSI Masterformat, and preventive maintenance cost data including cost, frequency, and checklists, organized using expanded UNIFORMAT.
• Former CMO for 4Clicks Solutions, a leading provider of cost estimating and project management software to the DOD Sector.
• Former Senior Consultant for RS Means / Reed Business Information – Strategic partnering with BIM and cost estimating software OEMs as well as large end users.
• Former CMO for VFA, Inc., and thought leader in the facilities consulting and condition assessment industry. Defined the CPMS (Capital Planning and Management Solutions) strategic concept effectively bringing it to a market that VFA lead for years including the higher education and government segments.  VFA was acquired by Accenture.
• Some think I have exceptional domain knowledge and expertise in facilities life-cycle costs and total costs of ownership applicable to various market segments including corporate and healthcare
• Seminal thinker on TCO (total cost of ownership) applicable to construction and facilities industry associations including FFC, APPA, NASFA and IFMA
• Ability to develop broad based “best-practices” and develop services and products for deployment via technology
• NIBS NBIMS V3.0 Planning Committee, Chairperson – Terminology Subcommittee 
• NIBS Board Member – FMOC
• Center for Job Order Contracting Excellence – CJE – Board Member
• OMNICLASS Working Group