Construction Operations Building Information Exchange – A State of Implementation Appraisal and Perspectives

Abstract

Construction Operations Building information exchange (COBie) was first proposed in 2007. Since then, has COBie become a mainstream implementation? In view of this, via literature review, this paper aims at appraising the implementation of COBie by investigating the attributes of improved maintainability of buildings as the main benefit of COBie to operations and maintenance. However, focus is only on the maintainability attributes pertaining to buildings and facilities such as design, personnel and logistics. This paper also examines the issues pertaining to COBie data collection, extraction and usage. In particular, the examination is on whether COBie has become the standard electronic deliverer of initial building life cycle data and the days of boxes of paper has ended. In addition, case studies of data exchange from construction to operations are also included to complete the review. The paper finds that in all areas mentioned, which are collection, extraction and usage, more work on developing work processes and practices are needed before COBie becomes a mainstream implementation. The lack of processes development and adoption was seen to be a result of lack of demand for COBie. Alternatively, the information exchange can be outsourced to operations and maintenance information experts during the design and construction stages as project secretaries. Case studies indicate that although outsourcing is a success enabler for construction to operations information exchanges, it may significantly increase project cost.

 Keywords: COBIE, Construction Operations Building Information Exchange, Maintainability