Business from technology

Information technology and life cycle management in building

Competence

The main competencies in the area are

• information technology (ICT) in construction and in the built environment and
  
• life cycle management of buildings and built environment
  

In information technology VTT offers its clients expertise based on knowledge e.g. in

• product data models and standards
  
• integrated information management in the construction project business
  
• new advanced REC-IT (Real Estate and Construction - IT) methodologies and technologies for instance for visualisation and communication, project governance, risk management in advanced construction projects
  
• knowledge management in inter organisational networks and implementation of new REC-IT.
  

Life cycle management competence includes. expertise in sustainable building, life cycle assessment methods, environmental declarations and service life estimation. The development aims at science based development of methods and tools for all parties in building industry and users of built environment.

Challenges

Architecture, engineering & construction industry is rapidly moving toward the use of integrated building information models. This is changing not only technology but also the industry processes and actors´ roles, tasks and responsibilities in the value network. The environmental challenges and tightening demands require continuous development of methods and tools for management of environmental issues.

Solutions

ICT-based solutions:

• Product data modelling technologies, IFC specification and data transfer standards
  
• New visualization and communication methods and technologies in project environment
  
• Strategic risk management, project governance
  
• Virtual organisations, roadmapping and foresight
  
• Augmented and mixed reality applications, virtual reality
  

Life cycle management solutions:

• Sustainability indicators, environmental classification
  
• Life cycle assessment, service life management
  
• Requirement management
  

Benefits

• Use of latest methods in knowledge management improves competitiveness
  
• Rapid implementation of new simulation, data exchange and interoperability methods enhances processes and minimises risks
  
• Strategic vision definition and roadmapping helps sensing future technology and business directions
  
• Development of life cycle management methods creates useful tools for sustainable building and information management
  
• Environmental indicators and declarations are efficient tools for convincing environmental benefits of a building or product
  

References and merits

• 15 specialists in building-ICT sector and 8 in life cycle management, including 6 D.Sc´s and 5 with strong international background.
  
• Co-operation network with about 300 clients and collaboration organisations.
  
• Some120 ongoing projects, 40 with international participation.
  
• 5 Visiting or Adjunct Professorships.
  
• Memberships in ACI, EAPPM, COST, CEN, FIATECH, ICALL, CIB, ISO, RILEM, OECD/NEA, UNEP.
  
• 10 memberships in editorial boards of international scientific journals.