No matter where you work or what your responsibilities are, proper communication always requires an effort. Let’s face it, it’s not easy. And believe it or not, this is just as true for people as it is for technology. Have you ever been a part of a multi-faceted operational, design, construction or maintenance project and experienced the mysterious disappearance of vital bits of information? Sometimes it feels like the children’s game known as telephone.

The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) and buildingSMART Alliance want to help fix that problem. These organizations have been instrumental in promoting a new facilities management communications protocol called the Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBIE).

COBIE is a universal, computerized system of data entry to integrate the documentation involved in all stages of a commercial building and/or maintenance project -- from the design plans to operations manuals. COBIE uses internationally recognized standard and data definitions requirements. It can save you money by strengthening communications and solving the all-too-common problem of fragmented documentation throughout project management and execution.

I’m excited to announce that NFMT is one of only a few limited venues across the country that was chosen by NIBS and the buildingSMART Alliance to host the COBIE Challenge. The event, which will take place at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11, puts suppliers and users of the application to the test in a live competition, which is open and free to all registered attendees. The challenge will demonstrate how CMMS, CAFM and CADD programs handle facility data in a real-world, real-time environment. (Vendors interested in participating in the COBIE Challenge at NFMT 2009 can contact Bill Brodt at NIBS/NASA: WBrodt@nasa.gov or 202/358-1117.) 

So join us on March 11 for this fun and informative event – and be prepared to hang up on the old telephone game and enjoy a new way to streamline your project management mandates.

For more information about COBIE, visit: