Information Management between Project Phases : The Value Creation Process of Recognizing Digital Waste between Construction and Operational Phases

Abstract: Digitalization as a driving force in the AEC industry is no longer a new subject when talking about accelerating innovation and solving environmental challenges. Traditional approaches can limit some of these outcomes and typically imply that many issues that could have been predicted with early involvement of stakeholders, are recognized in much later stages of the project at great expense. In a long run outlook, the operational phase of a building is notably the most demanding if accounting the lifecycle perspective of a building. Still, why is O&M lagging in adopting integrated models? This thesis approaches this subject from the assumption that Information Management plays a strategic role to oversee the different demands, urgencies and use from both sides.  The first theoretical framework used was Lean Management’s main premise that value is created through the identification of waste in a continuous improvement process. The second theoretical framework presented was to analyze the findings with the intention to simulate an optimal context for information flow and understand where the biggest bottlenecks are. The findings show that the perceived value on the information added is low from actors actually feeding the model, a bit higher from project managers but an essential part of information managers responsibility. Main issues related to digitalization were directly linked to the lack of communication between teams, lack of standards across different teams as well as difficulty in finding effective and accurate information. Practical issues with high information models related by the industry also demonstrate a necessity of more roles focused on information management. A model based on the five principles of Lean Management is in equivalence to Information Management is presented and then inserted as enablers for a continuous improvement cycle. Based on the findings, further research can evaluate in more detail the view from operational teams towards information management roles.