Introduction to Data Administration at the School of Specification
In the realm of architectural projects, the process of Information Management (IM) has emerged as a game-changer, ensuring efficient, coordinated delivery and meeting stakeholder needs throughout the entire project lifecycle.
### Key Principles and Processes of Information Management in Architecture
The IM journey commences with the client's project and asset information requirements, including standards, production methods, and procedures. A centralised digital platform, known as the Common Data Environment (CDE), is established to facilitate seamless sharing of project resources and information among all participants.
A contractual framework, defined by the Exchange Information Requirements (EIR), outlines what information is needed and in what form. This documentation is made legally binding through contracts. The project team responds with a BIM Execution Plan (BEP), detailing how they will meet the client’s EIR, including delivery plans, risk registers, and mobilization strategies.
Information exchange occurs via a series of coordinated information exchanges at defined stage ends, ensuring data is current and accessible to all. Risk management and quality control are integral parts of the process, with risks being identified and mitigated through documented processes to reduce cost, time, and errors.
### Benefits of Information Management in Architectural Projects
The benefits of IM are manifold. It improves brief-making by clarifying the internal decision-making process, setting out stakeholder needs for decision support, and ensuring design information is presented in a comprehensible form. Enhanced coordination facilitates seamless sharing of up-to-date design and project information, reducing errors and omissions.
Time and cost savings are achieved through early firm design decisions, which reduce risks and costly changes later. Better asset performance is supported by accurate handover information, which in turn supports whole-life facility and asset management. Risk reduction is achieved through structured information flows that help identify and mitigate project risks early.
### The Role of the Architect in Implementing and Managing Information Management
Architects play a pivotal role in coordinating and managing the IM process. As coordinators and facilitators, they lead the development of the EIR and oversee the establishment of the CDE to ensure all project stakeholders can contribute and access information effectively.
Architects ensure that design information is clear, coherent, and understandable, contributing to firm decisions before critical project milestones. They communicate among clients, consultants, contractors, and other parties to align goals and resolve conflicts related to project information.
Architects also ensure information produced supports not only construction but also operation and maintenance phases, improving asset lifecycle management. In essence, IM reinforces the leadership role of architects as they perform as lead consultant, design coordinator, and principal designer.
Ideally, the professional team is appointed simultaneously, enabling the team's BEP to be created as part of the appointment process. The contractor is selected by completing a BEP in response to an EIR. IM improves design productivity by smoothing workflow, making information easily accessible in a common data environment, and supporting various analyses, simulations, and presentations.
For those interested in learning more about IM, the School of Specification offers courses on the subject (www.schoolofspecification.co.uk/courses/information-management). Registration can be found at www.schoolofspecification.co.uk/register/.
Handover information can be in digital form using IM, ready to transfer into the client or occupiers' facility management tools. Health and safety briefings can be created using IM, and setting out can use the model directly. Progress can be monitored by using scanning.
In conclusion, IM is a structured approach to ensure architectural projects deliver the right data, to the right people, at the right time, with architects playing a pivotal role in coordinating and managing this process from initial brief through to facility handover and beyond.
Technology, particularly data-and-cloud-computing, enhances the information management (IM) process in architecture by providing a centralized digital platform, known as the Common Data Environment (CDE), for seamless sharing of project resources and information among all participants.
Prioritizing health and the environment, IM reduces errors and omissions, improves asset performance, and supports whole-life facility and asset management, ensuring architectural projects deliver information that maximizes safety, sustainability, and overall well-being.
