Abstract
In the era of strong IT development, superior processing of information is a desideratum in any business. Used in modeling and simulation, information has better capitalization, having a cognitive role; introduced in various algorithms and models can generate knowledge and wisdom. The processing of information is realized within the information systems (IS). A sub-domain of the energy sector that has developed in recent years is energy retrofitting, seen as a border subdomain, including specific elements from building construction and the energy field, for building analysis and construction process to achieve much larger energy savings. The development of retrofitting can be organized, through using BEM (Building Energy Model) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) models.
TopIn the era of strong IT development, superior processing of information is a desideratum in any business. Information has a primary, descriptive role, describing a phenomenon that will be subject to analysis. Used in modeling and simulation, information has better capitalization, having a cognitive role; introduced in various algorithms and models can generate knowledge and wisdom.
If we take into account their complexity, we can see an evolution of them, depending on their degree of complexity. Thus, we can group them into: data, information, knowledge and wisdom. This is also evident from the definitions of The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language for the items of data, information, knowledge and wisdom.
Data is defined as “Facts that can be analyzed or used in an effort to gain knowledge or make decisions; information” (ahdictionary.com, n.d.). In a simplest way, data can be seen as “the recorded, uncontestable, observed facts about things, people and events around us” (Sætnan, Schneider & Green, 2018). Data is used and processed in any field of activity. It is used both in describing certain phenomena or processes, but also in making some outputs as processed in indicators or graphical representations.
Information can be defined as “Computers processed, stored, or transmitted data” (ahdictionary.com, n.d.). Information is used to communicate data to users in different forms (processed or not processed) and play a descriptive or cognitive role. Information can be seen as collection of data or facts capitalized only in a specific context.
Knowledge can be seen as “The sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned” (ahdictionary.com, n.d.). Knowledge occurs as result of experience or study.
Wisdom is the most complex form and can be defined as “The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight” (ahdictionary.com, n.d.). Wisdom can have as result a wise outlook, but can also be capitalized through an action plan.
The most suggestive graphical representation of these terms taking into account the associativity between them is made by Pressman, as is shown in Figure 1. The complexity of the new entities, occurred as a result of the associations between data, makes the difference between data, information, knowledge and wisdom.
Figure 1. A graphical comparison between data, information, knowledge, wisdom
Data quality can be defined as “the totality of features and characteristics of a data set that bear on its ability to satisfy the needs that result from the intended use of the data” (Unite For Sight, 2018). These data characteristics are summarized in Table 1.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Information System: A coherent mix of data (data, information, information flows) and means of processing them (procedures and equipment) that contribute to the company's performance and achievement of organizational goals.
Diagnostics: The analysis of equipment in terms of malfunction or operation at parameters other than optimal operating parameters
Energy Audit: A systematic analysis of energy use and energy consumption within a defined energy audit scope, in order to identify, quantify and report on the opportunities for improved energy performance
Data Quality: The totality of features and characteristics of a data set that bear on its ability to satisfy the needs that result from the intended use of the data
Building Information Model (BIM): BIM is a process that involves data management that physically and functionally characterizes a building in order to create a digital model that will be used in all stages of a building's evolution at the conception phase until the end of its existence.
Retrofit Project: Is a project focusing on increased building energy efficiency by enhanced heat recovery, taking into account technical aspects and economical constraints (available capital and payback times).
Performance Assessment: Selection of a set of quantitative and qualitative performance indicators to analyze the performance of the building
FDD (Fault Detection and Diagnostics) Tools: Specialized software that treats input data and processes them according to well-defined algorithms.