By Thomas Trang
“Who do you think you are?”
This question, once directed at me during a professional exchange, was meant to challenge my voice as a frontline technician. But it became a defining moment—one that led me to embrace not only my role but my identity, vision, and voice in the evolving landscape of Facilities Management (FM), Building Automation Systems (BAS), and Building Knowledge Management/Hub (BKH).
An Amerasian Journey of Resilience and Adaptation
My Vietnamese name, Tuấn, carries the history of my origin and early life. But upon becoming a U.S. citizen, I adopted the name Thomas—a decision rooted in the desire to be understood and accepted. Like many Vietnamese Amerasians, I’ve navigated life on two fronts: honoring heritage while adapting to thrive in unfamiliar systems.
This quiet act of adaptation is not unique. Many FM professionals experience it as we learn to translate complex technical environments, evolving technologies, and human expectations.
From BIM to BKH: The Power of Evolving Terminology
My passion for Building Information Modeling (BIM) took shape in 2010, but what always captivated me was not the geometry—it was the “I” in BIM: Information. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that the next step forward isn’t just information modeling—it’s knowledge management.
So, I’ve reframed my work as BKH—Building Knowledge Hub. This shift reflects my commitment to transforming technical data into structured, actionable knowledge accessible to both technicians and leadership. AI is accelerating this transition, helping us digitize, retrieve, and leverage decades of siloed insights.
Francisco Valentine’s Insight: Troubleshooting the Black Box
In a recent post, Francisco Valentine, PE, shared a revealing experience with BAS troubleshooting. While remotely monitoring a system, he discovered that Water-Source Heat Pump (WSHP) units were operating outside their scheduled hours. The culprit? A hidden Optimal Start/Stop (OSS) routine was embedded deep within the control logic—a logic block that functioned like a black box, inaccessible for direct review.
Francisco’s message is clear: “When a unit starts early, we need to ask—what’s the logic behind the logic?”
This resonates with me deeply. As frontline technicians, we often sense issues before they appear in reports. But when BAS routines are designed without transparency, we lose the opportunity to build understanding, apply practical context, and train the next generation.
That’s where BKH meets BAS: by documenting sequences, linking IOMs to real-world diagnostics, and creating a shared logic library, we empower troubleshooting—not just for today’s problems but also for tomorrow’s teams.
Bridging Experience and Innovation Through AI
I’ve faced questions like:
“What’s the ROI of BIM for existing buildings?”
“Who are you to suggest this?”
And my answer remains:
“I’m a Facilities Maintenance Technician. But to me, FMT also stands for Facilities Management through Technology. I use tools, systems, and now AI to ensure that knowledge is never lost and always accessible.”
AI enables us to:
- Convert scanned drawings and IOMs into structured, searchable knowledge
- Build chatbots that answer technician queries in real-time
- Create visual timelines of BAS control events for improved diagnostics
- Identify subtle logic errors hidden deep in OSS, PID, or override layers
But these tools only serve us well when paired with lived experience, field-based knowledge, and human context.
The Call Forward: Identity, Clarity, and Connection
Whether we’re decoding a rogue OSS routine or redefining our role in a shifting industry, the answer always lies in knowledge that is shared, structured, and stewarded.
To my fellow Amerasians and frontline professionals:
We belong.
We bring clarity to the black box.
We build knowledge that outlasts us.
Let us continue to evolve, not just in titles and technologies, but in the legacy we leave behind—for every technician, operator, or future leader asking the same question:
“Who do I think I am?”
Want to explore how AI can support Building Knowledge Hubs in your facility? Let’s connect. I believe our stories—and our systems—become stronger when shared.#BKH #BAS #AIinFM #AmerasianVoices #KnowledgeSharing #FacilitiesManagement #SmartBuildings #AutomationDiagnostics #BIM #OSSLogic #ContinuousLearning #Mentorship
