Editorial

Citation

Finch, E. (2007), "Editorial", Facilities, Vol. 25 No. 13/14. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2007.06925maa.001

Editorial

This special issue develops the theme of product and process modelling: areas that transform our options for testing designs and FM solutions early in the design process. Some of these possibilities arise from recent developments in object modelling. This somewhat non-descript phrase belies a principle which offers an incredible range of possibilities. Ideas such as class, message, inheritance, polymorphism and encapsulation are just some of the concepts that spring from this. For those of us interested in practical uses, this gives rise to possibilities in document exchange, digital walkthroughs and mock-ups and convincing physical representations (i.e. the models obey the laws of physics).

The special issue begins with a paper by Brian Atkin and Bo-Christer Björk, two of the leading thinkers in the area of FM information systems. They detail the current state-of-the art in relation to process mapping in facilities management. This mapping approach allows a stepwise deconstruction of clients’ requirements in a manner that informs the facilities management process. Furthermore, it delivers a key business benefit by enabling the ready exchange of “rich” information between FM parties and information systems.

The theme of process modelling is continued by Vishal Sharma et al. who consider the hospital setting, showing how lean principles can be embedded in such models. The simulated process model that is developed is used for “what if” scenarios for decision-making regarding optimum resource allocation in hospitals.

In the paper by Ruikar et al. the concept of the “semantic web” which was conceived by Tim Berners-Lee (founder of the World Wide Web) as a successor to the web, is then applied to the construction and FM context. The problem situation referred to in the construction context is the heterogeneous information sources (particularly ones that contain weakly structured information). The paper focuses on the use of the semantic web to support project information management. It discusses the development of a semantic web based framework for shared definitions of terms, resources and relationships within a construction project that will help support intelligent collaboration.

This special issue includes a practical illustration of a process model that is not dependent on the power of the computer. The paper by Jones and Sharpe suggests that current models underpinning built asset maintenance do not allow direct links to be drawn between expenditure and impact on business performance. Through action research, the authors propose a model that is performance based and which addresses the key business parameters.

Modelling takes a different form in the paper Roper and Juneja who investigate the cost of auditory distractions set against new workplace designs as part of a net present value analysis (NPV). The argument is that people are significantly disrupted by auditory and visual distractions originating from the open work surroundings, with co-workers’ conversations in neighbouring cubicles being the most disturbing factor. The paper presents one approach to evaluating the economic significance of this phenomenon.

In the paper by Kurul a novel mapping approach is proposed that seeks to enhance our understanding of complex adaptive re-use processes. It is suggested that this can be done without over-simplifying the data or the necessity to fit it into a normative framework. The author argues that the suggested mapping approach provides a powerful tool for visualising project complexity and for assessing and evaluating projects.

In all, the papers show various approaches to process modelling and information representation. Some approaches are computer dependent and build on new emerging concepts in object modeling. Other papers illustrate in a practical sense the benefits that can be derived from a considered use of models to refine facilities management practices.

Edward Finch