Requirement management in a life cycle perspective based on ISO 19650-1 and CoClass as the new classification system in Sweden

Abstract

Purpose

Each building project demands an integrated method for information and requirement management in its life cycle. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the major obstacles in integrated life cycle information management and recognize the potentials of CoClass as the new Swedish digital classification system to tackle them throughout asset life cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

The industry viewpoint toward the current status of asset information management considering ISO 19650-1 principles and the existing obstacles and the industry practitioners' ideas regarding CoClass capabilities and applicability were captured and analyzed. A total of 13 semistructured interviews were conducted with the AECO industry professionals to have an understanding of information requirement management. Then the results were analyzed qualitatively, using the NVivo 12 software. Different attributes of a component (heating panel) in a meeting room according to CoClass and data deviations throughout the asset life cycle were elaborated.

Findings

This study reveals some obstacles in information management process in seven categories in relation to: (1) the need to employ information exchange platforms as common data environments (CDEs) by all actors from early stages; (2) the communication issues caused by lack of utilizing common languages; (3) the costly and time-consuming implementation process; (4) the misunderstandings in terms of data communication between service providers and owners; (5) the definition and fulfillment of information requirements as well as keeping track of data deviations throughout asset life cycle; (6) the information update difficulty; and (7) the need for training practitioners dealing with new systems such as CoClass.

Originality/value

The research explores the major obstacles in information requirement management concerning the practical implementation of the new Swedish classification system, CoClass, supporting the asset life cycle.

Citation

Sadrinooshabadi, S., Taheri, A., Yitmen, I. and Jongeling, R. (2021), "Requirement management in a life cycle perspective based on ISO 19650-1 and CoClass as the new classification system in Sweden", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 28 No. 9, pp. 2736-2753. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-03-2020-0203