BIM / BLM Ontology – Building Information Modeling / Built-environment Life-cycle Management – 2014

Ontology was originally reserved as a philosophical exercise dealing with categorization, analysis, and inter-relationships.  Ontology is now a rapidly evolving science in response to increasing complex information systems and/or “big data”.

Specific to the built-environment life-cycle management BLM / BIM, ontology is a fundamental requirement as it’s needed to establish robust, coherent, and consistent representations of ever-changing information.  This information comes from a variety of competencies, processes, and technologies and must be aggregated and harmonized to enabling enhanced decision-support mechanisms and overall improvement in resources allocation.

“Formal ontology now spans conceptual modeling, database design, software engineering, organizational modeling, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, the life sciences, bioinformatics, geographic  information science, knowledge engineering, information retrieval, and  the semantic web.”

 

Common methods support comparable outputs!

 

My BIM is Your BIM – Owners, Contractors, AEs, Building Users, Oversight Groups, Business Product Manufacturers, Community ….

BIM is the life-cycle management of the built environment supported by digital technology.   It is first and foremost the process of developing and leveraging actionable information (standardized, accurate, transparent) to efficiently manage the total cost of ownership and functional requirements of a built asset (building, infrastructure, etc.).

BIM is NOT rocket science, it is not 3D pretty pictures, it is not all about technology.  BIM first and foremost about early and ongoing collaboration, continuous improvement, and robust life-cycle management process supported with integrated technology and standardized information.

Collaboration construction delivery methods such as Integrated Project Delivery for major new construction, and Job Order Contracting for renovation, repair, sustainability, and minor new construction are important, if not requisite, components of BIM.  Equally important from an Owners perspective is the integration of multiple competencies, business processes, and technologies such as capital planning and management (CPMS) for capital reinvestment strategy, computerized maintenance management (CMMS) for “movable” asset inventory and routine/preventative maintenance, computer aided facility management (CAFM) for space mangement, building automation (BAS) for security/energy, and geographical information (GIS) for rapid locationing.  Forget “integrated workplace management systems” (IWMS), they are attempts at BIM by single vendors.  As one might expect, no single company can be expected to be competent across all knowledge domains and practices.  Through the use of standardized informatoin exchanges, “best in class” technologies will finally be easily integrated as “plug-ins” to a users cloud-based technology platform.

The day is here….   you can wake up or go back to bed…your choice.

Key additional items/areas to consider:

COBie – Construction Operations Building Information Exchange – Organisation and structuring of information. This is information that is essential not only to the design and construction of a built asset, but also its operation and maintenance. Currently focused upon delivering FM information at handover, but rapidly expanding.

OMNICLASS – A standardized information classification system for the built environment.  An integration and expansion of UNIFORMAT, MASTERFORMAT, etc.to incorporate all buildings spaces, equipment, processes, technologies, etc.

Standard Cost Data – Most notable example is RSMeans.   Well researched cost data (material, equipment, labor) and associate construction / facility management sq. ft., assembly, and unit cost information and associated task listings.  Critical for use to “benchmark” and/or “confirm” local processes/projects.  Also standardized using Masterformat.

Job Order Contracting – Collaborative construction delivery method using a standardized unit price book (UPB) based upon RSMeans and/or customized cost information.  Cost are best update annually or quarterly.  Process has been embedded within software to enable cost effective and consistent deployment.  Reducing procurement costs, mitigates change orders, and virtually eliminates legal disputes.

Integrated Project Delivery – Similar to JOC, however best suited for major new construction only.

 

 

 

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LOD – Level of Development – BIM – Life-cycle

Level of development (LOD) relative to the life-cycle management of the built environment (BIM) should have a solid framework relative to ONTOLOGY.  Ontology is the standardized usage/definition of terms and their associated inter-relationships.

While the definition of “life-cycle” has many permutations, and is likely to undergo ongoing improvement, the relationship to LOD needs to be  developed in parallel.

via http://www.4Clicks.com – Premier cost estimating and efficient project delivery software solutions for JOC, SABER, IDIQ, MATOC, SATOC, MACC, POCA, BOA, BOS … featuring an exclusively enhanced 400,000 line item RSMeans Cost Database, visual estimating/automatic quantity take off ( QTO),  and collaborative contract/project/document management, all in one application.   Our technology is currently serving over 85% of United States Air Force bases and rapidly growing numbers of other DOD and non-DOD (United States Army Corps of Engineers,  Army, GSA, Homeland Security, VA..) federal departments/agencies, as well as state/county/local governments, colleges/universities, healthcare,  and airports/transportation.  RSMeans Strategic Partner

National BIM Standard – Survey – NBIMS-US – Building Information Modeling

 

Share Your Perspective on the Value of the NBIMS-US™ Take the NBIMS-US™ Survey The Planning Committee for the nation’s building information modeling (BIM) standard is conducting a survey to obtain more information about the building industry’s use and perceived value of theNational BIM Standard – United States® (NBIMS-US™). The three-minute survey is meant to capture information about the awareness, understanding and implementation of the NBIMS-US™ and find out what industry professionals think should be addressed in future versions of the standard. The National Institute of Building Sciences buildingSMART alliance™ NBIMS-US™ Project Committee is currently in the process of balloting Version 3 of the standard. With the results of the survey, the Alliance will be better able to plot a path to steer future NBIMS-US™ content to address issues important to the building industry. Today’s building professionals are increasingly using BIM in their work. The NBIMS-US™ is a consensus-based standard that supports users in their implementation of BIM. Because a BIM covers all aspects of the building process, and everyone in the construction industry will be impacted as the use of BIM becomes standard operation procedure, it is increasingly important that representatives from every segment of the industry participate in development of the standard. With more industry input, the standard can become stronger and more effective, helping the U.S. building industry to become more efficient and productive. The survey is open until November 15. It consists of 15 multiple-choice questions and should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. The buildingSMART alliance™ will share the survey results during Building Innovations 2014: the National Institute of Building Sciences Conference and Expo, the week of January 6-10, 2014. Take the survey now. About the National Institute of Building Sciences The National Institute of Building Sciences, authorized by public law 93-383 in 1974, is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that brings together representatives of government, the professions, industry, labor and consumer interests to identify and resolve building process and facility performance problems. The Institute serves as an authoritative source of advice for both the private and public sectors with respect to the use of building science and technology. An Authoritative Source of Innovative Solutions for the Built Environment

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Building Information Management Framework – BIMF – People, Process, Technology

While at first perhaps a bit intimidating…  illustrating the life-cycle management within a BIM context is relatively straightforward.

BIM – Life-cycle Management Perspective

 

The purpose of this Framework is to provide  a general guide that your team can quickly customize to your specific requirements.   Like a restaurant menu or a travel guide, you can visualize the resources available and decide on an appropriate strategic configuration of options.

Just begin in the Center and work thru this Action Agenda using, when available and appropriate, tested  processes and templates.   Using these guidelines, set up a BIM Management structure with your stakeholders.

 The Building Information Management Framework (BIMF) illustrates a how people, processes, and technology interact to support the built environment throughout its life-cycle.  Based upon the associated level of detail, an operating model can be developed to more efficiently identify,  prioritize, and meet the current and future needs of built environment stakeholders (Owners, AE’s, Contractors, Occupants, Oversight Groups…)

More specifically, modular, Model View Definitions (MVD), associated exchange specifications and common data architectures [for example: Industry Foundation Class (IFC), OMNICLASS] can  help to integrate multi-discipline Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) “activities”,  “business processes”, “associated competencies” and “supporting technologies”  to meet overall requirements with a goal of continuous improvement.

WORK GROUP FORMATION – Roles and Relationships;

PROCESS MAP – who does what, in which sequence, and why;

EXCHANGE REQUIREMENTS & BASIC BUSINESS RULES – Overall guidelines for information integration

EXCHANGE REQUIREMENT MODELS – Specific information “maps”

GENERIC MODEL VIEW DEFINTION (MVD) – Strategic approach incorporating guidelines for information format, content, and use;

MODEL VIEW DEFINTION & IMPLEMENTATION SPECIFICATIONS   – Specific format, content, and use

PROJECT AGREEMENT REQUIREMENTS – LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT (LOD) – Defined “project” deliverables

(Adapted from: IMPROVING THE ROBUSTNESS OF MODEL EXCHANGES USING PRODUCT MODELING ‘CONCEPTS’ FOR IFC SCHEMA –Manu Venugopal, Charles Eastman, Rafael Sacks, and Jochen Teizer – with ongoing assistance/input from NBIMS3.0 Terminology Subcommittee)

Model View Definitions (MVD) and associated exchange specifications, provide the best benefit if they are modular and reusable and developed from Industry Foundation Class (IFC) Product Modeling Concepts.   Model views and overall life-cycle management are similar in this regard.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools serving the Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC) span multiple  “activities”,  “business processes”, “associated competencies” and “supporting technologies”, and each may required different internal data model representation to suit each domain.  Data exchange is therefore a critical aspect.   Inter and intra domain standardized data architectures and associated adoption of matching robust processes are really the first step toward successfully managing the built environment.

The Process Side of BIM = Collaboration: People, Process, & Technology

Open BIM – What’s it going to take to get there?

1.  Robust, collaborative construction delivery methods – IPD, Integrated Project Delivery, JOC – Job Order Contracting, et al .  Collaboration in the building industry requires the integration of complex inter-related workflows whereby multitude of stakeholders are incorporated into a common pool of information, decision-support, and activities over an extensive period of time.

2. Standardized “Glossary”.. terms, acronyms, definitions.

3. Benchmarks, metrics.

4. Life-cycle perspective and management techniques/processes… vs. a “first cost mentality”.

5.  Technology focused upon enabling robust processes…vs. current focus upon 3D modeling.  Embedding vetted processes with technology enables consistent, scalable deployment.

6.  Current examples of “open’ and standardized knowledge domains, processes, terms, and  technologies.

Capital planning and management systems (CPMS) – physical and functional condition monitoring and associated capital reinvestment planning.  traditionally dealing with expenditures in excess of $10,000.

Computerized Maintenance Management systems (CMMS) – inventory, repair, maintenance of ‘movable equipment’.  Typically involving expenditures of $10,000 or less.

Computer-Aid Facility Managements Systems (CAFM) – space planning, move management, space utilization.

Building Automation Systems (BAS) – security, life/safety, access control, environment systems management.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – computerized location management / positioning.

Create, read, update, delete) operations (CRUD)

Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) – structure enabling native storage of instance models

Simple Object Access Protocol, is a protocol specification for exchanging structured information in the implementation of Web Services in computer networks.

Representational State Transfer (REST)  is an architectural style for large-scale software design

Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie) a specification used in the handover of Facility Management information.

OMNICLASS  in simple terms, a standard for organizing all construction information. The concept for OmniClass is derived from internationally-accepted standards that have been developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Construction Information Society (ICIS) subcommittees and workgroups from the early-1990s to the present.
ISO Technical Committee 59, Subcommittee 13, Working Group 2 (TC59/SC13/WG2) drafted a standard for a classification framework (ISO 12006-2, more information below) based on traditional classification but also recognized an alternative “object oriented” approach, which had to be explored further.

UniFormat is a standard for classifying building specifications, cost estimating, and cost analysis in the U.S. and Canada.

MasterFormat is a standard for organizing specifications and other written information for commercial and institutional building projects in the U.S. and Canada.

BIM and Big Data

Open BIM Standards – COBIE, OMNICLASS – IFC / COBIE Report 2012

BIM adoption remains a challenge due to the fact that its many supporters don’t focus upon it’s true relevance, the efficient life-cycle management of the built environment.

While any new technology has  barriers to adoption, changing the “status quo”, the fundamental nature of how a business sector does business requires a major event.   The cultural and process changes associated with BIM, namely the need for all stakeholders to collaborate, share information in a transparent manner, and share in risk/reward, remain chasms to be crossed by many/most.    Fortunately, those currently or previously involved with Integrated Project Delivery and Job Order Contracting (the latter a form of IPD specifically targeting renovation, repair, sustainability, and minor new construction) have experience with these “novel” business concepts.  Both IPD and JOC have proven track records and have clearly demonstrated the ability to get more work done on-time and on-budget to the benefit of all involved parties.

A key aspect of BIM, collaboration, can only be efficiently accomplished with a commonly understood and shared taxonomy including terms, definitions, and associated metrics.

So called “open BIM”, such as buildingSMART International’s Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs), are important to enabling collaboration as well as interoperability between BIM software applications.     COBie, a naming convention for facility spaces/components, etc., and its counterparts OMINCLASS, including MASTERFORMAT and UNIFORMAT,  etc. … can be leveraged and generated by IFC appears a goal worth additional focus on a local and global level.   That said, support for COBie, OMNICLASS, IFC, etc. varies and,  far from mainstream.

As noted in the IFC / COBIE Report 2012, BIM’s success depends upon the ability to:

1. Create model data in a consistent format
2. Exchange that data in a common language
3. Interrogate the data intelligently.

There are multiple knowledge domains, technologies, and process involve in the life-cycle management of the built environment, all of which need a common data architecture, taxonomy, set of metrics, etc.

The IFC / COBIE Report 2012 correctly points out that pressing needs remain:

1. The need for standards

2. The need for guidance

3. The need for enhanced IFC import export routines from BIM applications

4. The need for agreed descriptions of who requires what data and when

5. The need for an improved audit trail to allow greater confidence in collaboration.

Also, and I paraphrase / embellish…

1. “Enforcement” of IFC by buildSmartalliance and all BIM “proponents”  is required.
2. Domain experts must leveraged and queried to deliver structured data templates accordingly.  The industry needs well defined model view definition for each COBie data drop. From this can come clear guidance on the “level of detail” required at each COBie data drop. This will give a shared understanding of what information is required from and by whom and at what stage.  For example needs of Facilities Managers are required to inform the content of the COBie data drops. Facility management must be considered as early as the briefing process.
3. Weaknesses in the IFC import /export processes exist in current software product implementation. These weaknesses make manual checking necessary and reduce confidence.  Improvement  is vital here.
4. While IFC can be used when generating COBie data, people will use whatever works and is available. The market requires.  complete flexibility to choose what systems they use. Innovation should not be stifled by mandating a process to achieve the required data.
5. COBIE is far from complete, but a good starting point.
6.  Microsoft Excel  provides a view of the structured info of COBie data and one way 0f reporting data, however, in NOT a good authoring tool, nor does it support hierarchal relational data schema.

IFC_COBie-Report-2012

BIG DATA = BIM

 

 

BIM Terminology – Subcommittee – Call for Participants – NBIMS-US V3

As the newly appointed Chairperson of the NBIMS-US V3 – Terminology Subcommittee (TGS), I would like to invite anyone interested to please join our group.

Below is the mandate for our group.

Develop and maintain a set of terminology definitions and police their use throughout NBIMS-US ballots and content.
Mandate includes (but is not limited to):
1. Develop and maintain a set of terminology definitions to be used as standard in NBIMS-US;
2. Review all ballots for consistency of terms and resolve disputes/confusion;
3. Review all existing content of NBIMS-US and revise for consistency as necessary;
4. Work with ballot authors to clarify terms and definitions;
5. Align terms and definitions with commonly used industry standards, organizations and other common references;
6. Develop and maintain, with the Implementation Subcommittee (IS), a simplified ballot form to allow for the submission of terms and definitions;
7. Develop and maintain terminology definitions content for NBIMS-US;
Additional Responsibilities:
1. Elect a Subcommittee Vice-Chair and Secretary in accordance with NBIMS-US rules of governance;
2. Schedule and conduct regular meetings; maintain and distribute meeting notes in accordance with NBIMS-US rules of governance;
3. Chair to attend regularly scheduled Planning Committee (PLC) meetings;
4. Provide a monthly report/update for the NBIMS-US Project Committee (PC).

Is Cloud Computing More Important than BIM?

Is focus upon the 3D component of BIM an unfortunate distraction?

BIM, Building Information Modeling is the ability to create a dynamic information model of the built environment (above and below ground, inside and out, horizontal and vertical physical infrastructure) for use in all real property related activities:  concept,  rapid prototyping, planning, design, engineering, construction, physical and functional condition monitoring and management, financing, capital reinvestment, insurance, facility management, renovation, repair, sustainability, utilization, leasing, valuation, procurement, sale and decommissioning  with appropriate shared, secure, and collaborative information access and use.

The advent of Cloud Computing, combined with the cost to capture, store, and process information  falling to near zero,  is enabling new capabilities for secure, real-time collaboration.

The altered world landscape relative to the built environment is upon us all.  In addition to technology changes that are altering the ways we interact and conduct business on fundamental basis, there are economic and environmental imperatives.   All of which lead to the AECOO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations and Owner) sector and its stakeholdings needing to collaborate to achieve better, quicker outcome,  at less cost,  and with less risk.

Key challenges to BIM in terms of its true potential, the life-cycle management of the built environment, include:

– The development of uniform standard process, terminology, and technology environments for the new BIG DATA world , encompassing  all  ‘built environment related knowledge domains, competencies, and activities.   

– Clear organization and classifications of information and associated access  rights and rights to use, enabling appropriate, uniform basis intra and international use.

– Workflow-based  Cloud-computing services environments, and plug-ins that are vs.  monolithic traditional software frameworks which are web enabled via virtual server, or even traditional 3-tier web applications such as .NET.   4-tier applications are needed with the ability to link and reuse  information in any manner  relative  to identity/location, building, area, floor, room, occupancy, use, physical and functional conditions,  standardized and actual costs (material, equipment, and labor), et al… – to provide common ‘highly secure’  models for short and long term decision support.

– The acceptance and increased use of collaborative construction delivery methods such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Job Order Contracting (JOC).  The latter a form of IPD specifically targeting facility renovation, repair, sustainability, and minor new construction projects.

–  AUTHENTICATION, ACCESS CONTROL, COLLABORATION, AND STANDARDS …  4Clicks Solutions is about to release a powerful new Cloud Computing solution called CEASEL. It focuses upon transparent construction cost estimating and efficient project delivery.  Each user to controls their own ‘domain’ and access policies (ie ‘who’ can access ‘what’ data, ‘when’ and ‘how’ ). Data in NEVER deleted and  ALL user access and activities are tracked.. .the best form of security.    “Data independency” and  appropriate access for all asset owners, managers, and service providers is supported.   Project development time is reduced because users don’t need to create an identity store and access control system for each project, and projects, estimates, etc. can easily be updated and re-used.

New authentication methods or new kinds of user credentials can be adopted by upgrading just the authentication service.  Associated contracts,  projects, and estimates don’t need to be re-coded.  Changes to access control policy can be made quicker and more easily because it is consolidated in the one place. 

Dedicated and focused security service leads to better overall security – compared with each organization having a part-time resource for security management. 

Security improvements benefit all projects at the same time. 

Less time and effort is devoted to security administration as administrators only need to understand and use one security framework rather than a different one for each project.

Errors are reduced because there is no duplication of identity data and access control policy.A unified view of identity and access control policy is achieved for each user, without breaching the security of other users.

Simplified , auditing and reporting.

If you are interesting in being a pilot user of this new capability, please contact me directly.

 

BIM vs Information Silos

 BIM is not about software or technology but about CULTURE CHANGE and CHANGE MANAGEMENT.

BIM is about simplifying and adding visibility to the life-cycle management of the built environment.  You are either “on-board” or “not”.  It’s up to you.

BIM and FM are synonymous.  Unfortunately there are very few instances of BIM.

The biggest mistake made by most people new to BIM is to assume that BIM is all about technology, and so focus all their efforts on mastering the technology rather than considering the impact that the application of this technology will have on the processes among Owners, AEs, Contractors, Subs, Business Product and Service Providers.

IFMA BIM Lifecycle Operations Community of Practice (BIMLO COP) Kickoff Meeting Video – http://www.gosee.tv/bimlco/

BIM requirements:

1. Organizational Commitment
2. Collaborative, Efficient Project Delivery Methods (IPD- Integrated Project Delivery, JOC – Job Order Contracting …)
3. Standards (OMNICLASS, COBie, IFC), Common Terms, Definitions, Metrics, Cost Data (Standardized Cost Data, example-RSMeans)
4.  Life-cycle Information
5.  Open digital technology supporting the above
6.  Continuous Training and Improvement

via http://www.4Clicks.com – Premier software and services for construction cost estimating and efficient project delivery – IPD, JOC, SABER, IDIQ, SATOC, MATOC, MACC, POCA, BOA…featuring the best representation of RSMeans Cost Data, exclusively enhanced 400,000 line item database.

BIG DATA, BIM, Life-cycle Management of the Built Environment