
Evolving the IMI Framework for FM
Designing for operability is a must, so the IMI Framework is evolving to embrace other parts of asset lifecycles, including FM. Dan Rossiter of the BSI and Gordon Mitchell of Wholus detail the progress so far.

The worst-kept secret in the built environment? That the majority of spend occurs during the operation of our buildings and infrastructure. One reason for this is the complexity of working outcome value, when the built environment is being operated, into the process and design at the beginning. Enter the stage: information and its lifecycle capabilities.
For the unfamiliar, the 1:5:200 ratio illustrates an economic truth about lifecycle: that is, if a project costs £1m to build, the operating costs over 20 years would be around £5m, and the business operating costs would be around £200m. However, it is worth knowing where this comes from. We first saw these figures in Be Valuable, a 2005 Constructing Excellence paper. The paper derived these figures from the actual costs of a London financial services building.
Given the scale of operational impact, designing for operability is not a nice to have, it is a foundation for value, performance and return. In fact, this is one of the reasons why BS 8536 (design, manufacture and construction for operability) is a core part of the IMI Framework. As the UK’s approach to information management, the Information Management Initiative Framework strives to capture a holistic set of good practices via standards, guidance and resources. However, unlike the static BIM Level 2, the IMI Framework can extend and evolve as the idea of good practice and sector requirements mature.
Reaching the rest of the lifecycle
During nima’s development of the information Management Initiative (IMI) that the IMI Framework serves, several weaknesses were identified. One of these was how to take the existing work, presented in a particular way to target a particular audience, and present it in a way that spoke specifically to other parts of the lifecycle, who can still embrace the same sector-wide fundamentals. To do so would mean more targeted guidance and standards that talk to other parts of the lifecycle in their language. This included actors such as manufacturers, insurers and facility managers.
Once identified, a decision was made to select an initial actor to work with to improve their representation. Given their high impact and a strong working relationship with their professional institute, facility managers were chosen.
To realise FM representation, the IMI Framework collaborated with the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) to run a workshop on how best to support its members. As part of this workshop, the current suite of standards, guidance and resources were presented with an opportunity for IWFM members to discuss and comment.
In conclusion, IWFM members recommended:
- additional guidance be produced relating to information management for existing buildings and infrastructure works, as well as more FM-related examples to be included throughout the existing guidance; and
- additional resources be cited, such as the BSRIA guides on O&M manuals, building user guides, and inspection checklists.
Collective ambition
As of Digital Construction Week, the IMI Framework now includes a schedule of operating and maintenance standards, including the IWFM recommended standards. Work now begins in collaboration with the IWFM to produce additional guidance, as well as to cite the identified resources.
To truly power a digitally enabled future, our sector must unite across the entire lifecycle, aligning around shared outcomes and collective ambition. The built environment has long been defined by fragmentation, which is precisely why the IMI Framework is so vital. It offers a common platform where every actor can get support, contribute, collaborate and co-create. By aligning our efforts through a single, evolving framework, we not only accelerate value creation, but ensure that no part of the community is left behind. This is how we amplify impact and unlock an exciting future for us all.
Authors' note: We are grateful for the engagement received from the IWFM to augment the framework to better represent facility managers. Recognising that this is the start of our dialogue, we hope it will serve as a great example for others to follow to make the IMI Framework the best it can be.
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