# HBIM: Background, Current Trends, and Future Prospects
## 7 Overall Results and Discussion  
The analysis of the results of the present review highlights that, over the last 15 years, HBIM has transformed heritage building management by merging digital modeling, historical data integration, and structural analysis into a cohesive framework. The primary findings reveal both the progress HBIM has made and the current challenges it faces, specifically in data accuracy and accessibility, standardization, and software integration.  
Data collection for HBIM models is complex, with heritage buildings often characterized by irregular geometries and incomplete documentation. Techniques like laser scanning and photogrammetry have been pivotal in capturing these intricate details. However, the high cost and limited accessibility of advanced equipment pose challenges for widespread HBIM adoption. The necessity of balancing detail with computational efficiency is also clear: highly detailed models are beneficial but can lead to significant computational overheads, hindering their practical use.  
Interoperability remains a central barrier to the consistent application of HBIM. While frameworks such as IFC and COBie offer promising solutions for standardizing data across platforms, these are often geared toward general BIM applications and lack heritage-specific adaptations. Efforts within Europe and other regions are advancing toward developing open-access formats and semantic web standards that could enable more seamless data exchange for heritage models. Improved interoperability would support broader adoption and facilitate collaboration between institutions in preserving culturally significant buildings.  
A particularly promising aspect is the integration of HBIM with structural analysis and real-time monitoring systems. Structural health monitoring and finite element analysis tools are increasingly embedded within HBIM environments, allowing heritage managers to monitor the physical state of buildings continuously and address potential issues preemptively. This transition from static documentation to dynamic makes HBIM a valuable tool not just for preserving these buildings but also for managing them proactively. It also opens the door for HBIM models to become detailed, interactive digital representations, or digital twins, that mirror the real-time condition of heritage buildings.  
Practical applications of HBIM have demonstrated its versatility through numerous case studies focused on churches, museums, palaces, and other monumental buildings. Despite these successes, challenges remain in moving HBIM models from project-specific or experimental use to long-term, practical applications within routine heritage management. The lack of standardized practices and the high variability of heritage buildings contribute to difficulties in achieving this transition.  
HBIM has shown substantial promise as a digital management and preservation tool, although full realization of its potential requires further advancements. Improving data interoperability, establishing standardized protocols, and enhancing real-time structural analysis capabilities are essential steps for HBIM to become a universally practical and powerful resource in heritage conservation.