Grand Challenges in Information Modeling for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Facility Management Industries

The architecture, engineering, construction and facility management (AECFM) industry has been experiencing many changes since inexpensive networked, mobile computing devices have become ubiquitous. With the rising amount of information and data generated in the life cycle of capital projects, information modeling and data interoperability have become a critical element in design, engineering, construction, and maintenance of capital facilities. Recent advances in Visualization, Information Modeling, and Simulation (VIMS) have the potential to address a number of these pressing challenges. The objective of this vision paper is to identify grand challenges related to Information Modeling. This is a companion paper to two others, which will address the areas of Visualization and Simulation. These papers are primers for the VIMS Grand Challenges Report, to be developed by an expert task force assembled by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Technical Council on Computing and Information Technology (TCCIT) VIMS Committee.