Imagine trying to locate a failing HVAC unit in a 50-story building using only outdated PDFs — versus clicking on it in a 3D model that shows you exactly where it is, its specs, and who to call. That’s the difference BIM can make.

BIM stands for Building Information Modeling. Think of it as a detailed digital twin of a building: instead of a flat blueprint on paper, you get a 3D computer model that contains much more than just the building's shape. This digital model includes information about every component, from the type of concrete used in the foundation to the specific model of light fixtures that will be installed.

BIM across the building lifecycle

BIM is more than a 3D model, it’s a structured, data-rich representation of a building. It provides a standardized way to store, share, and update information from design and construction through to operation and maintenance.

• Design: BIM helps architects and engineers coordinate, avoiding clashes and improving efficiency.
• Construction: BIM supports better project planning, scheduling, and cost management.
• Operations: To manage assets, schedule maintenance, and boost performance, Facility Managers need accurate, connected data. BIM could revolutionize facility management, but in reality, it’s rarely used.

The operations phase lasts far longer than design and construction combined, so the real return on investment in BIM lies in how it supports facility management.

Why BIM is a game-changer for facility management

Once a building is handed over, owners and operators’ biggest challenge is making sense of vast amounts of data. Traditionally, this information is siloed across plans, PDFs, spreadsheets, or proprietary software. This fragmentation creates inefficiencies and makes it hard to plan maintenance, respond to issues, or improve sustainability.

BIM changes that by becoming a single source of truth: all assets are structured, searchable, and connected across systems.

Why BIM remains underutilized in facility management

Despite its advantages, BIM is rarely used to its full potential in daily facility management. Retrofitting existing buildings and connecting BIM data to operational workflows presents real challenges.

Documentation gaps  The biggest hurdle is often incomplete, scattered or outdated building records. Original blueprints may be missing, inaccurate, or don't reflect years of modifications, renovations, and system upgrades. What you see in old drawings rarely matches what's actually installed.

Hidden infrastructure  Many building systems are concealed behind walls, above ceilings, or underground. Mapping these requires invasive investigation or expensive technologies like ground-penetrating radar, which adds complexity and cost.

Complex integration with existing systems  Most facilities already have maintenance management systems, asset databases, and operational procedures. Integrating BIM with these existing workflows can be technically challenging and may require custom solutions.

Tool gap There’s a persistent gap between BIM and existing FM systems, a missing layer that translates detailed 3D building models into practical, day-to-day operational tools. Facility managers who want to use a BIM model are often limited to design-oriented software like Revit, which is neither accessible nor efficient for maintenance teams.

Model maintenance challenges Even with a complete BIM model, keeping it current is difficult. Every change to equipment or layout requires specialized tools and expertise, making updates costly and time-consuming. This links back to the tool gap: without an easy, integrated way to sync BIM data with day-to-day FM workflows, models quickly become outdated and lose their operational value.

How Augment and Wiretwin bridge the gap between BIM and FM

Augment’s BIM services and our platform, Wiretwin, make it easy for facility management teams to adopt, update, and benefit from BIM without technical barriers.

Create a complete BIM model You don’t need perfect data to get started. The first thing we do is collect and organize all the facility data our customers can provide. From 2D drawings to digital and paper records, we gather everything in one place. If needed, we fill in the gaps with laser scanning – especially in cases where the floor plans are lost or outdated. With the collected data and scans, we can generate the BIM model from scratch. Curious? You can find out more about this process in our previous blog post.

Keep your documentation up to date As your facilities evolve through renovations or upgrades, Augment ensures your BIM model stays accurate and connected in Wiretwin. Everything is centralized in one intuitive platform, so your team always works with current information, and you leave scattered files and outdated plans in the past.

Leverage your data for smarter operations When your BIM model is integrated into Wiretwin, it becomes a living digital twin. Facility teams can visualize assets, monitor conditions, and access real-time insights to plan maintenance, optimize energy use, and streamline daily operations. Wiretwin transforms static building information into actionable intelligence that powers smarter, more sustainable operations.

Stay future-ready Augment's services and Wiretwin's platform don't just make BIM easier to adopt, they also ensure it delivers long-term value. By supporting open standards like IFC, scaling across portfolios, and turning building data into actionable insights, we help FM teams optimize performance, reduce costs, and achieve sustainability goals.

The future of BIM in Facility Management

BIM is quickly becoming a legal and operational standard in construction. As more countries adopt BIM requirements, the biggest opportunities will emerge in operations: when buildings are actually lived in and maintained. By connecting BIM data to facility management workflows, Augment and Wiretwin show how to unlock that long-term value. The result is not just more efficient FM, but smarter, more sustainable buildings that perform better over their entire lifecycle.

Ready to explore how BIM could transform your facility management? Get in touch to discuss your specific challenges and discover what's possible with the right approach to building data.