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As the construction and property sectors continue to develop and embrace new technologies including digital twins, cognitive buildings, artificial intelligence and machine learning, there is a need to ensure that data systems are suitable to maximise the potential value and return on investment.
Common considerations for data systems include:
- Scalability: To allow the system to grow.
- Flexibility: To allow the system to adapt to changing
organisational needs. - Granularity: To the level of detail needed to support
required functionality. - Maintainability: To allow for ease of updates.
- Security: To protect sensitive data.
Data is at the core of any information system. For a system to be fully useful it is vital the data is structured and named consistently at all building life cycle stages, from design and new construction, into the operation of existing facilities; and through on-going lifecycle upgrades.
Not planning for consistent and standardised data structures will cause functionality limitations that can have significant missed opportunity and cost implications.
US studies have placed the cost of fragmented data and inadequate interoperability to cost industry in excess of $15.8 billion USD per year. As the complexity of buildings and the capability of digital platforms increase, both the lost opportunity and cost caused by data inconsistency also increases.
Many available classification standards are inadequate, overly complex or functionally disjointed to effectively support detailed design, manufacture, construction, commissioning and operational management functionality of the systems that provide ventilation, air conditioning, energy, communications and light to buildings.
International construction and asset management standards provide frameworks to help address these challenges. Commonly referenced standards include:
- ISO 12006-2:2015 Building Construction – Organisation of information about construction works which defines a framework for the development of built environment classification systems.
- AS ISO 55000 suite of Standards for Asset Management – The core principle of this suite of standards is that asset management systems facilitate “actions that enable realisation of value from assets”.
In principle, these standards require classification systems to be assigned to classes of objects that enables the naming and analysis of assets and facilitate their management. It’s a process that consists of grouping objects that have similar characteristics or behaviours. And, in order to analyse assets there is a requirement to be able to consistently and reliably identify and group the asset records by type to varying levels of detail, and be able to do this across different types of asset databases.
Due to the complexity and requirements of assets at different lifecycle stages and their differing operational requirements, a single classification standard may not enough to serve the various needs thought out a building’s life cycle or an asset life. A constructor’s requirement for classification in a Building Information Model may be different to what is required for an analytics system
supporting operation.
Key considerations when looking to adopt a standard include:
- Fit for purpose – Understanding what outcome is desired from classification. This can include design, procurement, manufacture, installation, maintenance planning, lifecycle analysis, risk mitigation, energy and performance monitoring.
- Alignment with international and government standards – Does the classification system align with existing standards such as ISO 12006
or AS ISO 55000. - Open and interoperable – Can different classification systems and software products work together, enriching the overall asset data model and not limiting it.
- Supported – Is the classification structure supported and
regularly updated. - Structured and consistent – Is the classification structure logical and consistent across the standard.
When deploying a classification system these issues are important:
- Consistent adoption – Classification should provide a standard for the way a business manages data and its own vendor ecosystem and
supply chain. - Clearly defined – Classification standards should be well defined to avoid different interpretations of asset types. For example, the mechanical assets pictured below could both be considered as a “Fan Coil Unit (FCU)”. However, they are different assets with respect to design, installation, maintenance and ownership.
- Maintainable – Standard and classification maintenance is key to realising on-going benefit. This should not be a one-time process.
- Vendor system independent – Often vendors will come with a system which works for them but will make it difficult to change vendors in
the future. - Consistent through lifecycle – Classification standards should be able to be applied from design to operation and maintenance lifecycle phases. Start with the end in mind, what data will Facilty Managers need to perpetually manage assets.
- Professional community – Having a community of like-minded practitioners to provide industry feedback to improve and expand the classification system is a significant benefit to the ongoing development of a data classification system.
Classification presents significant opportunities to realise savings just through correct identification and classification of assets and equipment.
“Data standards are essential in creating high-quality information that informs decision making.”
– Victorian Digital Asset Strategy, Part B
.
Correct data classification sets up the foundation for informed decision making. This helps establish a solid baseline when adopting new technology. Understanding the desired outcomes of correctly structure data will help ensure the standard is properly adopted and will support immediate organisational needs while futureproofing for future developments.
If you manage services and data sets, then you need to think about:
Plan ahead – Understand what outcome is desired from the classification. This can include maintenance planning, lifecycle analysis, risk mitigation, energy, and performance monitoring.
Application – Adopt and apply the Standard that suits your requirements.
ROI – Maximise your potential for better analytics and return on investment.
Utilisation – Be ready to utilise asset information as a baseline from design
and construction.
Empower your ecosystem – Engage like-minded service contractors with software that can utilise the adopted standard and contribute to your
data ecosystem.
Innovation – Adopt an industry standard classification to future proof.
Repeatable consistent process and reporting – Specify the classification standard as a requirement across the business’ operations.
Set the benchmark – Align to emerging national and ISO standards.
About the Virtual Buildings Information System (VBIS)
VBIS® is a free-to-market industry data naming standard and data access methodology that enables the full usefulness of data related
to the operation of buildings.
VBIS® has been adopted by a range of government agencies and industry providers of building design and construction, facility management, maintenance and operation services. Leading providers have also become VBIS® Enabled enhancing the ready comparison, benchmarking, and subsequent improvement of building performance across portfolios, building types and functions and by Industrial sectors.
For more information on data classification systems and VBIS® please visit www.vbis.com.au or contact:
Nathan Semos – Executive Manager
P: +61 (0)475 269 012 E: info@vbis.com.au
