The Effects of Handover Information Quality on Commercial Building Asset Management

Abstract

Deficiencies in building handover information, which encapsulates essential building information reflecting the scope of the building project, present a significant challenge within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Investigations into catastrophic building failures have consistently identified insufficient information management as a key contributor to the deterioration of information over time, which directly impacts building safety. Despite the introduction of new policies and regulations aimed at addressing these pervasive issues, substantial gaps remain in understanding the underlying causes of information deterioration. This research, therefore, aims to empirically investigate the effects of building handover information quality on commercial building asset management, specifically during the use phase of commercial buildings. The use phase of a building begins with the handover from the contractor to the owner upon completion of construction, encompassing its intended utilisation, operation, and maintenance to ensure functionality, efficiency, and compliance with safety and regulatory standards. This research employed an exploratory qualitative multi-case study methodology, engaging 92 asset management professionals across nine organisations that manage commercial building portfolios. It aimed to identify the role and quality requirements of handover information and the primary causes contributing to its deterioration. Given the increasing integration of Building Information Modelling (BIM) applications with cloud computing technology (CBIM) in the AEC industry, this research progressed to conduct semi-structured interviews with 13 software engineers. These interviews explored CBIM's capabilities to address the identified information quality issues, specifically its technological potential for enhancing information management. The findings of this research demonstrate the role of quality building handover information in facilitating various statutory inspections, complying with organisational compliance requirements, supporting asset valuation, and informing decisions related to capital projects and recurring operating expenditures. Optimal outcomes hinge on prioritising the information quality dimensions of ‘Accuracy’ (intrinsic), ‘Completeness,’ and ‘Timeliness’ (contextual). ‘Uniqueness’ emerges as a critical quality dimension for identifying asset locations. Moreover, the research identified seven context-specific causes that contribute to the deterioration of handover information, as perceived by users: (1) imperfect handover information from the project delivery phase, (2) insufficient handover management, (3) tangible information loss, (4) human errors, (5) information loss during the file conversions caused by technological advancements in the AEC industry, (6) organisational issues, and (7) external factors. Given the context-specific nature of these problems, further evaluation of CBIM suggests that its implementation requires robust information management processes. These processes are essential to maximise the capabilities of CBIM and to prevent causes contributing to the deterioration of handover information. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge in asset management, construction management, information quality, and CBIM. By advancing the theoretical understanding of the causes contributing to the deterioration of building handover information, this research provides practical benefits by providing asset management professionals with actionable insights grounded in empirical evidence. These insights inform strategies designed to enhance and maintain the quality of handover information, which are crucial in optimising asset management outcomes for commercial buildings.