Data requirements for factory layout planning and simulation

Factory Planning is a multidisciplinary and complex process, which is often characterized by a large set of influencing factors and interrelated decisions. These may be supported by simulation and optimization tools for a more quantitative and validated outcome. Within the different planning phases, the required and available data base has decisive impact on the quality of results and may range from estimated, static average data to granular dynamic time series data as well as information on stochastic uncertainty. Furthermore, the different data requirements lead to the necessity of a method based on a structured process. By using Building Information Modeling (BIM) for a whole factory planning project, a more standardized design and realization process may be established. This leads to the working hypothesis that BIM could provide the methodological and technical environment in modern data-intense factory planning processes. Therefore, a framework of required input data, a so-called Information Delivery Manual (IDM) is derived as well as closing the loop by defining output information, e.g., out of simulation models that may be fed back into a common BIM-based data environment. Existing structuring approaches in factory planning are consolidated with the formalized data structuring options within the BIM-based workflows. As a result, a derived concept may serve as a generalized template for specifying IDMs in future planning projects.