A Methodological Framework to Optimize Data Management Costs and the Hand-Over Phase in Cultural Heritage Projects

This paper illustrates a methodological approach to optimize the data management process and to reduce costs related to information loss, from the preliminary phases to the Facility Management (FM) one. The growing concern about sustainability issues has steadily increased attention to cultural heritage's key role. Concurrently, Europe promotes the application of digital methods for managing interventions both for new and existing buildings. The data issue, especially in heritage projects, represents a crucial aspect; data-recovering activities or shortages of information contribute to relevant expenses and discourage stakeholders. The research focuses on how procedures involving digitalization, applied to heritage projects, can improve the information workflow, supporting the hand-over stage. Although the application of digital techniques has recognized advantages, enhancements for optimizing time and cost savings are required. The research result is a methodological framework to obtain complete heritage as-built deliverables for the management phase. The defined structure is applied through a case study approach to the restoration of a historical lyric theater. Thus, the as-built model represents a database for controlling costs and maintenance procedures. In the end, the work provides a tangible contribution to the Heritage BIM (HBIM) delivery and can be a starting point for future improvements.