Challenges in the Implementation of BIM for FM - Case Manchester Town Hall Complex

An often-introduced claim is that BIM can be a powerful tool for facility managers to improve buildings’ performance and manage operations more efficiently throughout the life-cycle of buildings. Although this claim has been common since the early introduction of BIM, there is relatively little information about the real use on BIM in the operation and maintenance of buildings. Even most large public owners who have been early adopters of BIM, such as GSA, USACE or Senate Properties, have used BIM more in managing their construction projects than implemented it into their FM activities.
The benefits of BIM for design and construction are relatively well studied and documented, but there is little evidence of the benefits of BIM in the operational phase. In addition, the challenges involved in shifting from traditional FM processes to new BIM-based processes are not well-known. In this paper we document some of the issues involved in the adoption of BIM in FM and identify some of the enablers and barriers to BIM implementation in FM. The findings are based on a case study carried out during the final design and construction phase of Manchester Town Hall Complex, a major re-development project in the UK. Results confirm the lack of awareness the potential of BIM in the operation phase and need of clear guidelines for the implementation of BIM in FM defining required level of integration, standard BIM protocols and the key deliverables for FM purposes.