Setting the Right Standards: The Intersection of Levels of Development (LOD) and Facilities Management

A great deal of the information captured in construction models is helpful for ongoing facilities management work. However, identifying the data that is most valuable for FM and then getting that into the appropriate facilities management system is not always easy.

During the design and construction process, architects and contractors often use a Level of Development (LOD) Specification. This standard helps teams specify information in Building Information Models (BIMs) with a higher level of clarity and reliability. The specification referenced above uses and expands on LOD definitions that were developed by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

There are six levels of development – LOD 100, LOD 200, LOD 300, LOD 350, LOD 400, and LOD 500. These define how much detail is included in a model element. To derive the information needed from BIMs, facilities management teams should create their own standards that refer to the LOD specification framework. Here are three tips that can help your team with this effort:

1. Recognize that not every model element needs information at the most granular level of development. Wasting effort on detailing that’s not needed is never advisable from a time and effort perspective.
2. Decide which facilities management functions could benefit from information stored in the Building Information Model (BIM). Take time to map out which activities would take less time or be more cost efficient if BIM data was available in the facilities management information system.
3. Determine what LOD is needed to support different FM activities. For example, space and asset management may not need information specified to a high level of development. Remodeling, however, usually requires a much higher LOD and may demand field verified information.

Has your team created an organization-specific standard that defines what information facilities management needs from BIMs and what LOD is appropriate? If not, what’s been holding you back? IMAGINiT’s facilities management team understands how to guide teams through standards development, as well as how to integrate BIM source data with facilities management systems. We’d love to hear what challenges you are facing.

Comments

[RenehanBrian]

Following your above article I believe your readers will find the below link on LOD 500 very useful. I discuss the major problems with it and a solution framework:

http://bimfix.blogspot.com.au/2015/11/as-built-lod-500-under-microscope.html

A have also reviewed for the BIMForum 2015 LOD Specification, including its errors, omissions, what works, what does not, and how to deal with the issues

http://bimfix.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/a-review-bimforum-lod-specification-2015.html

Hope these help
Regards