In today’s Australian construction scene, simply delivering a building isn’t enough. Owners, operators, and stakeholders increasingly expect smarter, more sustainable, and cost-effective assets. The journey from Building Information Modelling (BIM) to smart, data-driven assets is becoming a key requirement, shaping how projects are designed, constructed, and managed.
The BIM-Plus Journey: From Models to Smart Assets:
The journey begins with BIM, the digital representation of a building’s physical and functional characteristics. But the real value emerges when BIM evolves into BIM+, integrating IoT sensors, operational data, and analytics. This lays the foundation for smart asset management, where buildings and infrastructure can “talk,” enabling predictive maintenance, energy efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.
In practical terms, the progression looks like this:
- BIM (Design & Construction): Visualising geometry, space, and systems; clash detection; coordination.
- BIM+IoT/Data: Capturing real-time operational data (energy, occupancy, equipment performance).
- Smart Asset Management: Using analytics to optimise lifecycle costs, improve maintenance schedules, and enhance sustainability outcomes.
Why Clients Care: Tangible Benefits:
For Australian clients, data-driven construction translates into real, measurable advantages:
- Lifecycle Cost Savings: Smarter asset management reduces unexpected downtime and extends equipment life.
- Predictive Maintenance: IoT-enabled monitoring allows issues to be fixed before they become costly failures.
- Sustainability: Data helps optimise energy usage, track carbon footprints, and meet Green Star or NABERS requirements.
- Operational Efficiency: Streamlined processes improve safety, reduce wastage, and enhance tenant experiences.
Collaboration and Data Flow: Design → Build → Operate:
The power of BIM+ and smart asset management depends on seamless collaboration and data flow across the project lifecycle:
- Design: Architects and engineers embed operational considerations into models from day one.
- Build: Contractors capture as-built information digitally, ensuring models reflect reality.
- Operate: Facilities teams access real-time data, making informed decisions on maintenance, energy management, and upgrades.
This lifecycle approach, often called “design-for-operation”, ensures data is captured and leveraged throughout the asset’s life.
The Australian Context: Drivers and Opportunities:
Australia’s construction sector is seeing regulatory and procurement pressures that make data-driven construction more than just an advantage—it’s becoming a requirement:
- Government Infrastructure Projects: Digital asset requirements are increasingly standard for federal and state projects.
- Procurement Changes: Tender processes now reward demonstrable BIM and data management capabilities.
- Sustainability and Reporting: Carbon and energy reporting frameworks push clients to seek smarter, data-enabled buildings.
Major projects, from transport infrastructure to hospitals, are adopting BIM+ and smart asset strategies to meet these expectations.
Data Maturity Self-Assessment: Where Does Your Firm Stand?
Firms can assess their readiness with a simple framework:
| Stage | Capability | Typical Characteristics |
| BIM Beginner | Basic 3D modelling | Limited collaboration: data is mostly static; siloed systems |
| BIM Practitioner | Coordination & clash detection | Models shared across disciplines; some integration of construction data |
| BIM+ | IoT/data integration | Operational data captured; basic analytics; predictive insights beginning |
| Smart Asset Manager | Full lifecycle management | Continuous data-driven optimisation; predictive maintenance; sustainability metrics embedded |
Firms can use this to identify gaps and set priorities for skills, software, and process improvements.
Moving Forward: Building Competitive Advantage:
In Australia, the shift from BIM to smart assets is no longer optional. Clients expect data-driven insights that reduce costs, improve sustainability, and extend asset life. Firms that embrace BIM+, IoT integration, and smart asset management will differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
The question for Australian construction companies isn’t whether to adopt this approach—but how quickly they can mature along the BIM-to-smart-assets journey.
Testimonials
Thank you for all your efforts on our projects; they have been an invaluable contribution to their success. We look forward to working with you on future projects.
Ian Ferguson MPM Group
Jess and Karl at Draftech were amazing. The communication from the start was prompt, and the entire process was extremely easy. We needed their knowledge on Air Schematics, and they had made one up for our buildings that we service. Thanks so much, and we will be using you guys in the future. Cheers, Air Control Australia.
Greg Colebrook AirControl Australia
With Draftech’s thorough understanding of building services modelling and close attention to detail, Forth has been afforded the opportunity to outsource some of our BIM projects with absolute confidence in the accuracy of the final product.
Gary Murdoch Forth Consulting
Very professional and efficient organization. Delivered a great product to a tight deadline.
ACE Power
Karl and the team are very professional and have a vast knowledge of BIM coordination.
Dwayne Willaims Babinda Electrics
We had multiple large projects with tight deadlines and needed a company we could trust. The teams delivery, attention to detail and understanding of what is being designed is always executed to a high standard.
Martin O’Donovan Envar Engineers
Draftech offered a flexible and reliable approach to working collaboratively with our team. They met our expectations and quality requirements and also offered up new ideas.
Draftech have proven to be a valuable and trustworthy resource and we will continue to work with Draftech on other projects.
Simon Marsden Umow Lai
Draftech is different from others in the professionalism and features they provide.
The ability to walk through projects in real time online provides invaluable insight into problem areas and helps provide an efficient resolution on the spot without many phone calls, emails and the necessity for us to paw through countless drawings to understand the issues.
Todd Morris Manager - Air mech
Draftech were put forward to FIP Electrical as the solution to Coordinate, Model, carry out clash detection, provide Electrical Services Shop Drawings, as built documentation and completed electrical model.
Simon Thorpe FIP Electrical
In close collaboration Draftech set up all our systems and model deliverables. In this process Draftech have proven to be a valuable resource for us and demonstrated commitment, understanding and professionalism.
David Skelley DJCoalition
Draftech’s attention to detail and proactive nature throughout the project assisted us in identifying issues before becoming evident on site, saving us both time and unexpected costs.
Matt Payne PJM Engineering Services
They delivered very high quality Revit models and associated 2D documentation at key milestones, working to a tight budget and in strict accordance with the Architects’ BIM requirements.
Peter Thomas Geoff Hesford
We found Draftech’s work to be of high standard and the team delivered exactly as agreed, in fact, when we considered the project complete, Draftech put further resources into the project as they were not satisfied.
John Johnson Beca
Engaging Draftech during design gave us the tools to make smart decisions.
Hansen Yuncken Design Manager - Michael Harkins
The drafting service is timely, reliable and fit for purpose for the built environment.
Peter Harvey Harvey Industries
Draftech stands apart from other drafting services that we have previously used in their attention to detail and ability to adapt to the individual client’s requirements.
Doug Holt McCaig Aircon
I can confidently recommend Draftech as a solid and reliable supplier, and experts in their field. I look forward to working with them again in the near future.
Chris Behan Norman Disney & Young
After seeing the benefits Draftech provided us on the Townsville Hospital Redevelopment we have set up a relationship with Draftech and intend to continue to use their BIM knowledge and skills for our future projects.
Brad Lund Energy Power Systems
Draftech has no competition as they are in a class of their own.
John Boyes Babinda Electrics
Draftech Developments Drafting and Design Capabilities, in conjunction with their outstanding level of Client service and support has provided great solutions to our engineering and Drafting Design portions within our Gorgon Barrow Island Project.
Aaron Hazelton Applied Electro Systems Pty Ltd
Draftech set up necessary systems and workflows very quickly, but also setup auditable estimating and weekly cost tracking processes that we utilised, requiring little maintenance.
TOM PURDON MPM GROUP
