Integrated facilities management using digital twinning and distributed ledgers

Abstract

Facility management failures can often be attributed to inefficient communication and information management. Such failures cascade through the facility lifecycle and define its future design space. Not all failures can be prevented, but improved information management can greatly improve decision-makers’ ability to avoid preventable failures and mitigate the consequences of those that were not. However, the challenges are as much a matter of information science as they are of facilities
management - it is not enough to change the mechanisms and strategies, the underlying philosophy of information management must be adapted. This study investigates the role of communication and information management in facilities
management with the aim of developing a framework for designing high-fidelity digital twins. Four key themes were reviewed to establish a research foundation: integrated facilities management, digital twinning, knowledge transfer, and distributed ledger technologies. A research methodology was developed that integrates case studies, focus groups, semi-structured interviews, and agile
system development. The framework was validated with a case study. The hypothesis that significant lifecycle costs are attributable to preventable sociotechnical information management failures was confirmed. Interview responses indicated a disconnect between academic and professional expectations of management systems and strategies. Participants unanimously agreed that competitors cannot be allowed to privately arbitrate management system state changes, indicating that despite dismissive attitudes towards trustless communication, its necessity is recognised. This study lays the groundwork for developing decentralised high-fidelity digital twins for integrated facilities management. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of facilities management, communication in construction, knowledge transfer, and the leveraged technologies. The developed framework offers a strong starting point for others furthering the research theme. The results from interviews, focus groups, and requirements capture provide insight into how academic and professional perceptions differ. The decentralised lifecycle management system will enable others to rapidly prototype their own management strategies. Finally, the study recommends future directions for related research.

Date of Award	13 Oct 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Teesside University
Supervisor	Farzad Rahimian (Supervisor)