Though Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been proposed as a lean solution for the construction industry, its implementation would itself benefit from a proactive lean approach. This paper aims to study the implementation of BIM in Facilities Management (FM), and explores the synergistic potential of a lean approach. This was carried out through an integrative review of existing literature. BIM-FM implementation was categorized into three phases, which were analyzed to uncover the challenges and barriers faced in each; and explore the potential of a proactive lean approach to counter them. A number of key findings emerged. The existence of inefficiencies and variability in information management leading to an increase in labor hours was identified as a persistent problem in BIM-FM implementation. This had been derived by systematically mapping the challenges to their resultant effects on business processes based on the seven identified wastes in business. The paper provides both academics and practitioners with a collated list of issues based on a new way of examining BIM in FM implementation. It discusses the need for and synergistic potential of lean concepts to reduce information and time waste.

Numerous researchers have investigated various aspects of building information modeling (BIM), uncovering many important issues in its development and application. However, there has been inadequate investigation of the value to be gained from the integration of BIM in the facilities management (FM) phase of a building’s lifecycle, despite its considerable potential. The purpose of this paper is to explore the value inherent in the deployment of BIM in FM. It identifies key FM operations that lend themselves to BIM, reviews the enabling technologies, and explores the potential value of BIM/FM integration to the building owner’s organization. The associated challenges are also explored. Three case studies of university FM departments and their applications of BIM within FM practice are used to illustrate the key issues and highlight important considerations. Salient aspects of BIM/FM integration and the concomitant effects on productivity, performance, workforce engagement, business processes, economic efficiency, and organizational culture, are also discussed. The paper concludes that strategic BIM deployment in FM is critical to realizing the full potential of BIM use in a building’s lifecycle. It is also considered vital in demonstrating the business value of BIM in facility operations and management.

The potential of building information modeling (BIM) to add value to facilities management (FM) has long been recognized. The usefulness of BIM in asset management, including operations and maintenance has been described by numerous authors. Crucial to its implementation is the integration of information, which increases efficiency and productivity on the job and, in turn, positively impacts the primary organization’s mission and goals. In view of the potential of BIM to add value to FM which in turn can boost the mission of organizations, there is a potential to study the experiences of early adopters, map out patterns and differences and to record lessons learned. This research aims to investigate how BIM is implemented in FM operations, how value can be derived and what the critical success factors are. It further explores the areas of process waste and consequent loss of value within the lifecycle phases of facilities. To this effect, the case study of a large tertiary educational institution is undertaken, mapping the processes of information flow during the translation phase from 2D drawings to 3D models of existing buildings. Value stream mapping of organizational processes will identify areas of potential waste or non-value-adding activities, and also areas of potential value-adding opportunities. By studying BIM value through the lifecycle value chain, and identifying good practices and challenges in light of the more subjective nature of value delivery in FM, more impactful outcomes should be derived.