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This paper aims to explore how big data analytics (BDA) collected and stored through specific data software [Construction Operations Building Information Exchange [COBie], integrated workplace management systems [IWMS], computer aided facilities management (CAFM), etc.] can play an essential role in improving the performance management system in the facility management (FM) industry. It defines the big data components and explores the benefit of BDA in any business through an extensive literature review and a pilot case study in the UAE.

The research was carried out based on a qualitative approach. It attempts to identify through a case study how the data collected and the technologies that go along with will increase the functionality and the efficiency of the FM services. The research studies the implementation of a big FM organization, hereafter referred as “M” of software that exports the data collected from COBie and the computer aided facilities management (CAFM) system and shapes them into input to improve the performance of the FM service providers. The study includes two components in anticipation of providing a complete picture: first, five semi-structured interviews with industry experts and company employees representing the hierarchy of the staff, i.e. top, middle and operational levels; one director, two managers and two operational-level employees were interviewed to determine the current situation of the company in terms of BDA; and second, detailed documents and archives records review for the data collected on a randomly chosen sample of facilities for the period 2013-2015. The interviews were designed to achieve two specific objectives. Primarily, they were aimed at collecting empirical evidence on the existing status of big data within the UAE FM context and at investigating the importance of the data collected for performance measurement in the industry as supported in the literature. Second, these interviews sought to identify any critical issues that need to be addressed within the data collection process when devising the big data platform for FM.

The paper seeks to provide a guideline to the service providers in the FM market to understand the importance of big data to be shared from the design and construction to the operational phase as it improves their operational performance.

This paper studies the impact of big data on the FM performance management, a very recent topic where only few researches were conducted earlier.

The continuous evolution of the UAE necessitates adapting to the dynamic nature of facilities management (FM) and construction sectors. Therefore, this study explores the current asset maintenance management (AMM) practices and FM teams' roles in the early stages of planning.

Twenty semi-structured interviews with 13 FM experts and 7 construction professionals (consultants, managers, directors, engineers) in the UAE were conducted. Data were analyzed thematically and validated by the triangulation method.

The study unveiled a disconnection between the FM and construction sectors in the UAE, unlike the global markets. Interviewees highlighted several areas that could benefit from improved collaboration between these sectors, including data transfer, space planning, design review, sustainability practices and energy savings, maintainability, defects liability period (DLP) and lifecycle cost (LCC) and budget estimation and feasibility. Additionally, the most frequently reported barriers to the collaborative approach were the immaturity of FM in comparison to the construction sector (60%) and the lack of awareness of technology (50%). Raising awareness on the importance of early FM involvement was voted the most as a solution to the barriers identified (70%). Interviewees further emphasized the crucial role of building information modeling (BIM) in fostering this collaboration.

The study’s originality lies in its focus on the UAE’s regional context and the use of qualitative insights from experts to understand the nuanced interactions between FM and construction, providing an in-depth analysis of local collaborative practices.

Significance of Knowledge The functional name of the Holy Quran is ‘huda’, the guiding light. It focuses divine light on each and every object separating thereby the right from the wrong' (al‐furqan). As this is accomplished by dint of knowledge (al‐ 'ilm). All these three guiding elements namely huda, furqan and ilm, are lined‐up by Allah, the Lord Providence (Rabb‐ulalamin), for earthly welfare (hasanah) and other‐worldly salvation (falah) of human beings. In Quranic context, knowledge, therefore, carries a great significance.