Buildings 2.0
In this episode of Buildings 2.0, Jose speaks with Dr. Melanie Robinson, Associate & Strategy Lead at Okana, who shares her extensive insights into the digital transformation of building spaces. Melanie highlights the importance of client engagement and the need for plain language to make complex data accessible.
She provides a comprehensive guide on the essential steps to move from traditional record-keeping to a fully digital framework, including assessing information gaps and implementing effective document management systems. Melanie also discusses the advantages of using digital tools to manage building data and how these can align with business objectives to generate valuable insights.
Topics discussed:
- The importance of engaging with clients to make complex data accessible and meaningful for better decision-making in building management.
- Using plain language to break down complex data and avoid overwhelming clients with technical jargon.
- Essential steps for transitioning from traditional record-keeping to a fully digital framework for managing building data.
- How to identify and bridge information gaps within your existing data when planning digital transformation.
- The role of effective document management systems in organizing and retrieving building information efficiently.
- Ensuring that building data is searchable and easily accessible to draw valuable insights and meet business objectives.
- The value of undertaking pilot studies to test requirements and interpret data for better decision-making.
- Measuring the effectiveness of new initiatives and understanding their return on investment in building management.
- Aligning digital transformation efforts with sustainability and carbon reduction goals in the built environment.
- The importance of choosing the right software tools and tech stacks to support and streamline digital workflows in building management.
Guest Quotes:
#1.)
“I've been really lucky to have quite a few amazing mentors in my. In my life. And, you know, having done a PhD, there's. There's supervisors that have been critical to all of this, but I think really, it's a community. If I could say that as rather than one person. And for me, that's women in BIM, that's something I'm very passionate about. And I think that's because it's like minded people that can get together and there's some superstars in that community alone.” 1:33-2:05
#2.)
“And I always say that you know unless our delivery teams are working with pen and paper and a drawing board, we're all doing some form of digital, and we're all doing some form of BIM in that instance, because we're all using a computer to design our buildings now. It's just how you communicate to what level of detail you need that information in.” 6:00-6:21
#3.)
“You could put sensors on every single window, door, chair, table, etcetera. But it costs money and it, you know, how do you store that data and how do you make sure it's secure? There's lots of, you know, costs to it. So it's balancing that with, well, do I need to have a sensor attached to my table? What on earth is that doing for me? 12:06-12:47
#4.)
“And soon there'll be the AI guy sat next to the BIM guy, and then there'll be the Internet of things. Guy sat next to the AI guy sat next to the bim guy. Yeah, I think we'll always have that to a certain extent, because you'll always need specialisms, but we need to make sure that they're at the table, having the same conversations, and understand what's going on with the design of the building.” 28:59-29:23
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