BIM4FM group releases survey results

Results highlight the perception of Building Information Modelling by facilities managers

For immediate release: Monday 9th September 2013

Following the headline results announced in July 2013, the BIM4FM group today released a full summary from its BIM survey which reveals current view and perceptions about Building Information Modelling (BIM), by facilities managers (FMs), building owners and occupiers.

Geoff Prudence Chairman of the BIM4FM group said: “It was encouraging to see that 65.0% of respondents had heard of BIM, but overall we were surprised to see that 26.5% state that they have already used it within a project. On discussing these findings with the individual organisations which make up the BIM4FM group, we have felt that this did not necessarily reflect the conversations we have had with our members. Therefore, we felt it important to consider and establish why this might be.”

“After discussion, it was felt that this finding could either indicate some form of misunderstanding
about what BIM is and its full capabilities. For example, BIM is certainly more than a 3-D computer modelling programme. Therefore, this finding in particular has presented BIM4FM with an opportunity to address this issue and where necessary support, educate and inform the industry. Another possibility is that other non-FM areas within large organisations, for example those with a construction division, may already use BIM. However, it was felt in this instance that BIM is likely to be used by other disciplines within the built environment supply chain.”

The BIM4FM survey polled individual members of the organisation’s which make up this forum of FM-related industry bodies.

Prudence continued: “The survey clearly highlighted that facilities managers, owners and occupiers identified that BIM provides them with the potential and opportunities for ‘better information management’. It was felt that this information will support on-going performance improvements post occupancy and handover. The scope of opportunity highlighted specific benefits for the FM area around lifecycle management (74.5%), improve efficiencies (68.1%) and better reporting data (62.0%)."

The overview of the survey results is available to download here.

In addition to this the BIM4FM will be taking discussion via its Linkedin page:http://www.linkedin.com/groups/BIM4FM-5029693/abou

As a first step towards this, the group is working together to produce some practical guidance for FMs on the basics of BIM. The group hopes to release this information later this autumn.

About BIM4FM

The BIM4FM group is a steering committee made up of leading institutes, trade associations and professional bodies representing the built environment supported by the Cabinet Office Government Property Unit.

The purpose of the BIM4FM group is to champion facilities management’s involvement within BIM and Government Soft Landings (GSL) projects.

Members include:

• BIS – Business, Innovation & Skills BIM Task Group

• BIFM – British Institute of Facilities Management

• B&ES - Building and Engineering Services Association

• BSA - Business Services Association

• BSRIA

• CIBSE - Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers

• GPU – Cabinet Office Government Property Unit

• FMA – Facilities Management Association

• RIBA – Royal Institute of British Architects

• RICS - Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

  You can join discussions and connect with the BIM4FM LinkedIn group at: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/BIM4FM-5029693/abou

Media contacts:

Georgina Emery [email protected]      07855 205655

Geoff Prudence [email protected]     07787 949384