In order to efficiently manage the life-cycle of the build environment, robust process, terms, and decision support tools are required that deal with physical and functional conditions, costs, priorities, risks, etc.

Business Case –  The classification and identification of equipment assets within a facility has to-date typically been accomplished through the use of internally developed legacy systems that do not integrate with other similar systems in use in other facilities, or new or existing technologies. Without an industry standard, users have been unable to cross reference data between organizations, agencies, industry, disciplines, and software solutions, creating inaccuracies and inefficiencies that have a major impact on effective maintenance, operations, and management of assets and facilities. There are shortcomings in all existing industry standards that define or classify objects in a way that allows facility life cycle capture of data. – Inter-agency Federal Asset Classification Team (IFACT)

The ability to define a “thing”, and recall that “thing”, and be able to discuss that “thing”, and all of its attributes, and track it’s changes…both planned, and unplanned, is critical.   Yet, the capability is NOT present at this time.    Here’s a short list of what is holding us back.   The good news is that it’s not “rocket science”.    The bad news is that is will REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL CHANGE with the Architectural, Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Owners sector.

1. Faceted vs. Hierarchical Data Structures / Architectures
2. Object-oriented technology to support Faceted and/or Hybrid classifications
3. Collaborative, cloud-based systems that are multi-language, multi-currency, secure, fast, and never delete information.
4. A life-cycle vs. first cost mentality/approach for planning, decision-making, and resource allocation.

OMNICLASS and cloud-computing will enable BIM leap to the next level, that is…. life-cycle management of the built environment, vs. pretty pictures.

Here’s some related work on the Government side:

A National Building Information Model Standard Project Fact Sheet Inter-agency Federal Asset Classification Team
(IFACT) –   The National Building Information Model Standard (NBIMS) is a set of interoperable standards for exchange of facility and infrastructure data through the life-cycle of a project. NBIMS is a joint project coordinated by National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) in conjunction with the buildingSMART Alliance (bSA) and many other facilities-related associations and software companies.

Results to Date

• Progress towards complete revision of OmniClass Table 23 – Products
• Progress towards compiling new abbreviations to submit to the United States National CAD Standard® consensus process.
• Construction Specification Institute is the key authoring authority on project.
• Participating Agencies: General Services Administration, Department of Veteran Affairs, Department of State, Department of Homeland Security
• Future Applications – Enhancements to OmniClass and the United States National CAD Standard® will allow a higher degree of data integration for all related software solutions and facility management systems.

via http://www.4Clicks.com – via 4Clicks.com – Premier cost estimating and efficient project delivery software featuring visual estimating, best representation of RSMeans Cost Data, contact, project and document management, for facility renovation, repair, sustainability, and minor new construction : JOC, SABER, IDIQ, IPD, SATOC, MATOC, BOCA, BOA, ….