The Recent advancements in digital transformation within the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Owner, and Operator (AECOO) sector emphasize the potential for creating public value through strategic IT implementation, particularly when driven by public clients. Public clients play a pivotal role in driving digital adoption across the AECOO industry, leveraging procurement practices to encourage sustainable and innovative outcomes. Digitalization, exemplified by tools such as Digital Twins (DT) and Building Information Modelling (BIM), offers the means to achieve long-term sustainability goals, including real-time energy monitoring, lifecycle asset management, and circular economy transitions. However, the transition remains complex due to inherent industry fragmentation and limited integration of digital systems, particularly in the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) phases.
While BIM has demonstrated efficiency improvements during the design and construction phases, its benefits are less pronounced in O&M, where information continuity and integration remain challenging. A socio-technical approach, integrating people, processes, and policies, is essential for effective digital adoption, especially to address organizational silos, behavioural barriers, and knowledge gaps that hinder technological integration. Public clients, positioned as agents of change, must adopt tailored, holistic data management strategies that align with life cycle needs and public values. This research focuses on enhancing BIM's role across the AECOO lifecycle by formulating a comprehensive framework to bridge existing gaps between data requirements, project phases, and client expectations.
Through theoretical research and a case study, this study develops a multi-level framework incorporating hierarchical policy alignment, knowledge management, and information exchange protocols to address the “practical-knowledge gap” seen in digital implementations. Findings suggest that a client-led approach with strong social integration mechanisms is crucial for overcoming industry fragmentation and driving sustainable digital transformation in the AECOO sector.