A technology masterplan for your facility: Systems, management, security and interactions - by Ed Macey- MacLeod

A technology masterplan sets out how an organization, facility or project will use technology. For a new-build, commercial core-and-shell development, this will mean setting out criteria for the selection, design, installation, maintenance and replacement of all technology items, even those we may not consider to be “technology.”

When we hear the word “technology,” we might think of Wi-Fi, a video wall or some techy gadget. But a fire alarm system is just as much a piece of technology as these flashier items, and so we need to think about its selection criteria holistically.

A technology masterplan is a “bible” that a developer can give to its development team, consulting engineers and tenants. It describes the developer’s approach to the technology in the facility. It is a comprehensive, coordinated vision for how the facility will use technology.

So what is in a technology masterplan?

The plan consists of four sections: Systems, management, security and interactions.

Systems

The systems section lists each and every system the masterplan covers, from sprinkler monitoring to public address systems.

For each system, the plan details:

• The communications protocol.

• Wiring for power and communication.

• Acceptable contraventions.

• Naming requirements.

• Minimum metadata requirements.

• Minimum non-regulatory certifications (Energy Star, UL Cybersecurity, etc.)

• Whether it is managed through its own system or a central system.

• A list of systems that the system can interact with.

• Newer technologies that are not yet adopted but should be considered on a case-by-case basis. For example, a few years ago Power over Ethernet lighting might have been stated as one such newer technology.

• Applicable national and international standards that should be employed to design the systems.

Management

The management section describes how equipment should be managed through its individual lifecycle, specifically how it will be used, maintained, updated, replaced and recycled.

It also details how the facilities team, tenants and maintenance contractors will access the systems.

Security

The security section describes how the equipment will be secured, both physically and logically (cybersecurity).  It further sets out how the security will be routinely tested.

Interactions

The interactions section gives a narrative of each of the base interactions that the systems will be capable of. See our post about interactions for more detail.

So what is in a technology masterplan?

To create a technology masterplan, here at Sterling, we take the following steps:

• Assess the facility.

• Establish the lifecycle of the facility.

• Determine the type of investment.

• Assess if the facility will need to have energy, security and technology certifications mandated by the planning process or code requirements.

• Assess if the facility will need to have energy, security and technology certifications mandated by developer, tenant or the market.

• Clarify the masterplan’s use. Is it for full fit-out, floors and ceilings, core-and-shell, etc.?

• Establish what plant and systems will be installed for landlord services.

• Establish what plant and systems will be installed for tenant services.

• Set out the management of those systems and their integration with other systems.

Create Once and Use Again

A developer should only need to create a technology masterplan once as they can then tailor it to each future project they develop. This template masterplan should be reviewed whenever there are significant technological advancements.

Project-Specific Masterplans

As a project progresses through the design stages, the design team should update the technology masterplan to be project-specific. This allows the tenants and facilities team to make use of the masterplan when the facility is in use.

Ed Macey-MacLeod, CISSP CDT RCDD is a senior consultant at Shen Milsom & Wilke (SM&W), New York, N.Y.