As a BIM consulting company we tend to work mostly on the digital part of the construction project lifecycle, and the Asset Information Model is a huge part of this. The Asset Information Model (also known as AIM) is the name for collated information which supports the ongoing management of a building.  The AIM, therefore, is a validated single source of all of the information which relates to a structure and is used mostly when the building is in its operational phase.

How Does AIM fit in with BIM

In a previous blog, we have talked about PAS 1192, and how these documents provide everyone on the project with a set of defined processes. What this means is that everyone should be collaborating and working towards a universal standard. During the design and construction phase of a project, the Project Information Model (PIM) is developed in response to the requirements in the Employers Information Requirements (EIR) Document. (Don’t worry if all these acronyms sound confusing, we have covered them all in our BIM glossary)

Once the project has been completed the information from the PIM is then transferred to the AIM. This process is set out in detail in PAS 1192:3.

What Information Does the AIM Contain?

The AIM should contain any data, documents, models and other records relating to the operational phase of a building. Sometimes it also includes information about the original intent of the design, details of project ownership, any survey work that has been undertaken, and performance details as well as any 3D models that have been used during the project.

Who Uses The AIM?

The AIM is actually quite useful for many people within the project, including clients, facility managers and even the end users of the building.

How is the Information within The AIM Managed?

The AIM is managed within the Common Data Environment (CDE). The owner and operator of the building need to specify precisely what information should be in the AIM and how frequently they require this to be updated.  If the owner of the building is intent on having the most efficient information management process they can, then they may want to employ a data manager to have overall responsibility for updating the information.

What to Think About

If you are putting an AIM together, then you need to think about a lot of things including:

  • Accuracy – how will the data in the AIM be assessed for accuracy, who will check it and how often will they check it? How will obsolete and unreliable data be dealt with?
  • Access – Which people on the project should have access to the AIM and do you need to set up granular permissions for confidential information? What other systems need to access the information held within the AIM and how will they do that?
  • Backup – Do you have a plan for disaster recovery and how quickly would the business be restored.
  • Collation – How are you going to collate, produce and maintain the information, what format will the information be in and how will the updates be controlled?

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