From the perspective of the entire lifecycle of engineering projects, cost management varies at different stages with specific requirements from various stakeholders. By analyzing the organizational structure and operational processes of full lifecycle cost management, a BIM-based system is divided into eight distinct management modules. While each module appears to operate independently, in reality, their data and information are interconnected and shared across the system.
(1) Basic Data Management Module: This module serves as the foundation for project cost management by establishing and continuously updating an enterprise quota database. It classifies and manages accumulated historical cost data to form various engineering cost indicators that reflect the economic and social conditions of the relevant period. It also supports remote access to the full lifecycle cost information and historical cost databases within BIM models and provides a network platform to retrieve current market prices at any time.
(2) Cost Management Module: This module automates the classification of component quantities within the BIM model according to list division standards, enabling precise cost calculations and reviews at each project stage. By integrating BIM 3D models with time and cost data to create BIM-5D models, it predicts funding requirements for each project milestone and facilitates reasonable fund allocation. It supports eight types of cost calculations and comparisons across three dimensions: time, process, and region. Additionally, it leverages historical project cost data from the BIM database to establish cost benchmarks for future projects.
(3) Resource Management Module: This module uses BIM visualization to simulate construction projects and develop proactive resource plans. By combining BIM with GPS and RFID technologies, it dynamically tracks and monitors resource consumption on-site in real-time. Users can query resource usage at any given time or project node and compare planned versus actual resource consumption using BIM models.
(4) Bidding Management Module: From two perspectives, this module enhances the bidding process. First, bidding units can use BIM models generated during the design phase to directly create the project’s bill of quantities, attaching them to bidding documents for sale. Second, bidders can quickly extract quantity data from BIM models to develop competitive proposals. The module also enables simulation of different bidding strategies within BIM for more accurate evaluations, while online bidding streamlines the process, making it more standardized and transparent.
(5) Contract Management Module: This module enables precise contract review using BIM models, storing results in a centralized database. It supports online account management, countersign payments, and other administrative tasks via internet technologies. The BIM model updates in real-time with engineering changes, automatically calculating and comparing work quantity variations to assist in change claims and contract modifications.
(6) Risk Management Module: Utilizing BIM models, this module dynamically simulates construction progress and resource needs, integrating historical data and real-world conditions to identify risks early. It generates a comprehensive project risk list and employs computer-aided risk assessment tools to develop response plans, effectively controlling risks and ensuring project cost objectives are met.
(7) Information Management Module: Efficient information exchange greatly impacts cost management. This module manages BIM documents by enabling uploading, downloading, reviewing, editing, and real-time updates. It facilitates collaboration among all project participants through video conferencing, online approvals, and discussions. It automates business processes such as engineering changes and original record approvals while tracking and analyzing processing status—even as project information evolves.
(8) Facility Management Module: Aiming to minimize total lifecycle costs, this module bridges early planning with later operation and maintenance phases. It uses BIM models to analyze and evaluate building facilities’ lifecycle costs during investment decision-making. Asset information is seamlessly transferred to operation and maintenance teams via BIM. During the operational phase, BIM models simulate the project environment and equipment performance to develop scientific operation and maintenance plans, supporting ongoing monitoring and management.
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