How aligning BIM & physical asset management can increase productivity

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and physical asset management, also known as Asset Information Management (AIM), are two of the current hot topics within the construction sector - and for good reason.

The construction industry is one of the key contributors to economic growth and development. Any investment in the improvement of construction productivity and efficiency would have direct impact on the economy. Therefore, a modern, competitive and efficient construction service is essential to any country’s economic prosperity.

In this blog, we'll look at what BIM and AIM mean and how the two support each other towards the establishment of an organised, efficient and highly productive construction environment.

This blog is part of a series developed to share knowledge, so you can get even more out of your tools and staff. Read the other articles here. 

BIM is the process of creating a digital model of a building or infrastructure facility. It's a collaborative way of working, underpinned by the digital technologies used to unlock more efficient methods of designing, creating and maintaining assets.

The fundamental idea behind BIM is having a single source of truth accessible to all parties involved. This enables the creation and sharing of the right information at the right time throughout the design, construction and operation of a building.

The implementation of BIM offers enormous gains in terms of cost and time savings. It allows greater accuracy in estimation, and also contributes towards eliminating costly errors and reworks of a project due to information loss.

The main drivers for the adoption of BIM include:

• Reducing asset costs
• Achieving greater operational efficiency
• Facilitating greater efficiency and effectiveness of construction supply chains
• Assisting in the creation of a forward-thinking sector
• Implementing BIM compliance is not a simple process. It involves numerous levels of implementation that act as milestones towards its full adoption.

If implemented effectively, the savings that BIM could deliver to the construction sector are exponential - which is why it's a core part of the global construction strategy. And while BIM is a must in any construction organisation, effective physical asset management should not be overlooked.

While BIM tends to deal with the actual planning, build and maintenance of a building, physical asset management keeps track of the tools and stock that are used.

Construction asset management is crucial and provides many benefits, including improved productivity, reduced costs and minimised downtime. Asset management can:

• Help you prevent theft and loss of equipment
• Ensure that the right assets are in the right place for the smooth running and completion of a project
• Provide accurate tool and equipment stock levels
• Help prevent equipment malfunction by managing maintenance and repair schedules
• Ensure your equipment meets regulatory inspection and testing regimes

Asset management software can not only help you efficiently manage your equipment and keep track of its compliance status, but it’ll also enable you to manage the compliance status of your employees - ensuring their certifications and qualifications are always up-to-date.

The alignment of BIM and asset management, or the use of both, will enable companies to maximise the value from their physical assets while operating in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

While both methods deal with different aspects of the project, the ability for them to work symbiotically together is crucial to its success. BIM and asset management software both revolve around the idea of having one single source of truth, meaning transparent information will be available to everyone in the organisation. In turn, this will lead to enhanced productivity and team collaboration.

Other benefits include:

• Achieve greater clarity on long-term in-service performance
• Reduced project start-up costs due to availability of better information during the beginning of the project
• Reduced construction and operational costs due to less defects and mistakes
• Better life cycle management
• Reduced management process costs arising from incomplete data

Whether you're interested in BIM, asset management software or both, Hilti have a solution for you. Click below to learn more about our BIM offering, or check out our digital asset management software - Hilti ON!Track.