The massive challenge for construction as PFI agreements come to an end

As public sector organisations prepare to inherit assets built under long-term contracts such as PFI agreements, they face a massive challenge - fragmented and inconsistent maintenance records that can complicate the transition and increase the risk of costly surprises - but there is a solution!

For decades, maintenance and replacement data in the construction industry have been collected in an ad hoc, fragmented manner. Under PFI contracts, different contractors and maintenance teams have kept records using varied methods and formats, often resulting in incomplete or inconsistent documentation. As buildings age and contracts come to an end, these scattered records become a critical liability. As a result, facility managers, who will inherit these assets, will likely be forced to piece together a building’s history from a mishmash of paper files, legacy databases and incomplete digital records.

This disjointed approach has the potential to lead to several serious issues. Without a unified record, it is difficult to determine the true state of an asset, which could lead to unexpected maintenance costs or safety risks. Fragmented data also makes it challenging to identify trends where it is possible to schedule preventative maintenance or plan for necessary replacements.

Furthermore, regulatory requirements for safety, energy efficiency and accessibility demand accurate, up-to-date documentation - a goal that is nearly impossible to achieve with inconsistent records. In short, the lack of a standardised system not only hampers efficient asset management, but also undermines trust in the quality and reliability of public infrastructure.

While the buzz around digital twins has captured attention in recent years, the real challenge for many construction projects - and especially for public asset handovers - is not just about having a real-time, interactive model of a building. Rather, it is about ensuring that every piece of maintenance and replacement data is recorded accurately, consistently and comprehensively. This is why we need accurate digital O&M records.

Unlike digital twins, which focus on creating a virtual replica of a building integrated with live data, a robust digital O&M record system is all about standardisation. It involves using a uniform template and consistent terminology to capture every detail of a building’s lifecycle - from initial construction and installation to ongoing maintenance and eventual upgrades. This approach ensures that, regardless of who collected the data or when it was recorded, the information is coherent, accessible and actionable.

The power of standardisation

Standardisation is at the heart of producing effective digital O&M records. By adopting a standardised template, every maintenance activity - from routine inspections to major repairs - is documented in a consistent format. When every record is entered in the same format, facility managers can easily navigate the data, compare historical information and identify trends.

This clarity reduces the risk of errors and misinterpretations, ensuring that everyone - from maintenance teams to decision-makers - speaks the same language.

Standardised data collection minimises gaps and omissions. Every detail, from the type of product installed to the specifics of a repair job, is captured in a comprehensive manner. This leads to a complete and accurate maintenance history that can be relied upon for future planning.

With all maintenance information stored in a centralised, standardised system, facility managers can

quickly access the data they need to make informed decisions. Whether it is scheduling preventative maintenance, budgeting for future repairs or planning for renovations, having reliable data at hand is invaluable.

Regulatory bodies also require detailed documentation of maintenance activities to ensure that buildings meet safety, energy and accessibility standards. A digital O&M system that employs standardised templates makes it simple to produce compliance reports, reducing the administrative burden and ensuring that no critical detail is overlooked.

At AJ Digital, we understand the unique challenges that come with managing public assets inherited from PFI contracts. Our range of digital services is designed to transform fragmented, inconsistent records into a powerful, unified database that drives efficiency and enhances asset performance.

The process begins with a thorough audit of all existing maintenance records. Companies like ours work to gather data from various sources - be it paper documents, legacy digital files or scattered databases - and convert them into a standardised digital format.

Using proven templates and industry-standard terminology, ensures that every piece of information is accurately captured. These initial steps lay a solid foundation for the entire digital O&M system.

Future ready systems

Once the data is standardised, it is possible to implement a digital O&M record system and make it bespoke to each specific need. However, the true value of a digital O&M system is realised through its continuous use. This is because a digital O&M system must not be static, but designed to grow with individual needs. As new technologies emerge and assets evolve, systems must be flexible enough to be easily updated to incorporate additional features such as laser scanning for accurate condition surveys or predictive maintenance analytics. This scalability ensures that maintenance records remain a valuable asset, supporting long-term planning and strategic decision-making.

Implementing a standardised digital O&M record system offers transformative benefits that extend far beyond basic record-keeping. It means no more piecing together fragmented records from multiple sources - everything is available in a single, unified database.

This comprehensive visibility allows FM Managers to assess the asset’s current condition quickly, identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions about future maintenance needs.

A standardised digital O&M system also enables proactive maintenance. By analysing historical data, it is possible to predict when components are likely to fail and schedule preventative measures accordingly. This proactive approach extends the life of assets and also leads to significant cost savings over time by preventing expensive emergency repairs.

Regulatory compliance is also a major concern for public sector asset managers. Detailed, standardised records simplify the process of meeting safety, energy efficiency and accessibility standards. With all compliance-related data stored in one central location, generating reports for audits becomes a straightforward task, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring that assets remain in full compliance with regulatory requirements.

In the long run, a digital O&M system is not just about managing today’s assets - it’s about preparing for the future. By maintaining a living, evolving record of every maintenance activity, public entities can create a solid foundation for future upgrades, renovations and technology integrations. This forward-thinking approach ensures that assets remain efficient, safe and sustainable well into the future.

In short, the handover of PFI assets to the public sector presents a unique opportunity to reimagine how we manage our built environment. With the adoption of a standardised digital O&M record system, public entities can overcome the challenges of fragmented data and create a comprehensive, reliable record of every maintenance activity. This transformation is critical for reducing operational costs, enhancing compliance and ultimately ensuring the longevity and efficiency of our public infrastructure.

This article appears in the AT Journal issue 156 Winter 2025 as "The massive challenge for construction as PFI agreements come to an end" and was written by Ryan Donoghue, AJ Digital.

--CIAT