A development framework for data models for computer-integrated facilities management

Open computer-integrated facilities management systems hold the promise to improve facilities management practice, but they require extensive underlying technical foundations: particularly standardized data models to enable information sharing among computer applications. The International Alliance for Interoperability is developing Industry Foundation Classes to provide this type of support for all architecture, engineering, construction, and facilities management industries. Facilities Management Classes are a similar effort in advance of, and in extension to, the Industry Foundation Classes for facilities management. This paper presents a framework for the development of Facilities Management Classes and computer-integrated facilities management systems, including objectives, methodologies, implementation issues, etc.