Information Futureproofing for Large-scale Infrastructure

Abstract

There are challenges of maintaining, refurbishing and modernising infrastructure assets under limited investments available for such purposes. Potential technological and operational challenges exist as a barrier to long-term information retention, which also plays a crucial role, amongst other factors, to futureproof major infrastructure. These issues appear to be trivial for short-term data management where informal information management practices suffice but over a 50+ year timeframe these issues are critical. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the challenges in futureproofing infrastructure information, and to present a selection of approaches that companies take to address them. It is proposed that strategies of large-scale infrastructure companies should incorporate technological and organisational elements of information futureproofing. An approach to develop information futureproofing strategies is also proposed.

Using BIM to integrate and achieve holistic future-proofing objectives in healthcare projects

“…and then proposed that a dynamic system approach is necessary to deal with change. Masood et al (2013) suggested that "information could also play an important role in supporting whole-life decision-making". In support of the above and following the USA and Krystallis et al 2016.…”

“…The UK Department of Health (DH, 2013) recognised 13 issues that need to be addressed at each project stage of a healthcare project regarding excellence in sustainability; one of them being future-proofing. Masood et al (2013) defined future-proofing as "the process of incorporating future developments while changing from an unplanned and uncontrolled state to a planned and controlled state of a resilient infrastructure asset or product service system with minimal negative consequences".…”

Towards the future-proofing of UK infrastructure

“…Shetty (2014) defined future-proofing in an asset management context as 'the process of anticipating the distant future and taking actions to minimise risks and maximise opportunities for value realisation from assets'. The term 'future-proofing' has also been used for long-term business continuity (ISO, 2012) and long-term information continuity (Masood et al, 2013).…”

“…Hence, it is important to identify through-life information requirements at earlier life cycle stages of infrastructure and ensure availability of information at all stages by planning and taking appropriate actions for its collection, retention and reuse in the long term (Masood et al, 2013). The principles outlined here deserve a lot more emphasis due to their importance and should be considered as a criterion for infrastructure future-proofing; however, these are not included in detail as this paper is focused on future-proofing of physical infrastructure.…”

“…The principles outlined here deserve a lot more emphasis due to their importance and should be considered as a criterion for infrastructure future-proofing; however, these are not included in detail as this paper is focused on future-proofing of physical infrastructure. Masood et al (2013Masood et al ( , 2015 may be consulted for further details on information future-proofing.…”