Our Process and Standards

Room Numbering and Wayfinding Standards

Enterprise Space Information Management (ESIM) is working with Campus Design and Facility Development, University Communications and Marketing, and the Design Review Committee to develop a standard approach to assigning room numbers to new buildings and space renovations. This standardization will make interior wayfinding easier for the CMU community and emergency first responders. When new room numbers are requested, we will recommend numbers based on this standard. We will also review room numbering for current construction projects to ensure adherence to the standard.

Images and Photos

Our team is excited to improve our visual space data. We are currently working on a prototype project that will capture 360-degree images and 3D point-cloud data for a building on campus in order to learn more about how we can apply these technologies more broadly across campus in the future.

Glossary of Enterprise Space Terms

• BIM: Building information modeling (BIM) is the process of creating 3D models defined by a geometric X, Y and Z axis and information parameters within a graphic computer program. CMU uses Revit, which allows us to be able to report on building information.
• BOMA Standards: The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) standards define the area for which a tenant pays rent is often used with commercial real estate. These standards are important to CMU for spaces that are leased to third parties or spaces that CMU leases from others.
• Building Space: In an integrated workplace management system (IWMS), a "building space" is a covered contiguous area enclosed on all sides by walls or imaginary boundary lines (referred to as “phantom walls,'' where a physical wall does not exist) that accommodates a single use. It is the smallest discrete spatial unit or data element used, tracked and analyzed in the university's space database (FM:S Workplace). This space can be part of a room, and a room can contain several building spaces.
• CADD: Computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) is the process of creating 2D models defined by a geometric X and Y axis and information parameters within a graphic computer program. CMU uses AutoCAD, which allows us to be able to report on building information.
• DRB: See entry for Enterprise Space Decision Review Board (DRB).
• Enterprise Space Advisory Council: This council was created to provide strategic guidance to CMU's Enterprise Space teams, including reviews of product selection and defining project priorities. Learn more about the Enterprise Space Advisory Council.
• Enterprise Space Decision Review Board (DRB): This board provides tactical guidance to CMU's enterprise space teams as decisions are made to ensure that all perspectives are taken into consideration. This group is made up of representatives nominated by the Enterprise Space Advisory Council, along with some additional groups to ensure an enterprise-wide perspective. Learn more about the Enterprise Space Decision Review Board.
• Enterprise Space Points of Contact (ESPOC): This program enables information-sharing regarding space-related decisions and changes that may affect stakeholders across the university. Learn more about the ESPOC.
• ESIM: Enterprise space information management (ESIM) refers to how an organization manages information about its physical spaces. CMU's ESIM service was designed to support space-related decision-making at the enterprise level through three primary technologies: our integrated workplace management system (IWMS) and our computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) documents are used for interior spaces, and our geographic information system (GIS) is used for outside spaces.
• ESPOC: See entry for Enterprise Space Points of Contact (ESPOC).
• FICM Standards:  The Postsecondary Facilities Inventory and Classification Manual (FICM) describes standard practices for initiating, conducting, reporting and maintaining a post-secondary institutional facilities inventory and is used by higher-education institutions to help track their physical space. The manual defines space types and outlines approaches for measuring spaces and calculating square footage based on “assignable” and “non-assignable” areas. This is the primary standard CMU will use to report university square footage.
• FM:S Workplace: FM:S Workplace is a cloud-based integrated workplace management system (IWMS) database developed by software company FM:Systems. CMU selected this software through an extensive RFP process, under the guidance of the ESIM Advisory Council.
• Geospatial Data is a boundless, two- or three-dimensional geographical location of a unique object or feature that is used to store, visualize, analyze and interpret data (also known as spatial data).
• GIS: A geographic information system (GIS) is a set of tools and software that enables the storage, management and visualization of geographic space data, known as geospatial data. This is most often in the form of applications and dashboards based on maps with visual information on them. CMU uses two of these tools, ESRI ArcGIS and Concept3D, to manage GIS space assets and data that are located outdoors.
• GIS Space: Exterior space that is not covered by the walls or boundary lines of any building. This space is tracked in the GIS applications.
• IWMS: An integrated workplace management system (IWMS) is a software platform that organizations use to manage their real estate, infrastructure and facilities assets. CMU's ESIM team uses FM:S Workplace for space management, strategic planning, asset management and move management. We are exploring additional software modules, including project management and real estate to manage the university's leases.