Developing a Decision Support System and a Building Management System for building portfolio management

The organizational effectiveness and functioning during the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) phase are influenced by occupancy and space use, which are highly variable over time. Therefore, spaces can be inadequate for actual uses, leading to poor levels of space use and cleanness. This, as well as Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), affects user well-being, satisfaction, and productivity. Real-time occupancy and IEQ monitoring and analyses are needed to achieve effective and efficient asset management and user well-being. The article presents an ongoing research project to define a Decision Support System and a Building Management System for Facility Management based on IoT sensor networks and a dashboard. Recent updates concern: the integration of modules to monitor man-down and social-distancing, as a consequence of COVID-19 pandemic-related situation; the installation of sensors to monitor IEQ in a limited number of rooms; the definition of the dashboard enabling data analytics at floor and building level, and simulations of what-if scenarios. The methodology is being applied and tested in a pilot study building. The research aims to support the optimization of buildings operational stage regarding space use, O&M activities, and indoor conditions, increasing workplace adaptability to changing conditions and needs, and ensuring increased user satisfaction and well-being.