ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEFENSE OF DISSERTATION RESEARCH
The faculty of the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering department is pleased to issue an invitation to Mr. Christopher May’s defense of the research conducted for his dissertation.
The defense is open to the public.
Light hor d’oeuvres and refreshments will be available after.
Date: Wednesday, February 25th, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Location: Engineering Systems Building, EMSE Conference Room 2101A
Doctoral Candidate: Christopher A. May
ESTABLISHMENT OF A BENCHMARK BUILDING CONDITION INDEX UTILIZING DISCRETE FACILITY SUBSETS FOR USE IN RISK PRIORITIZATION ANALYSIS
Director: Dr. Resit Unal
Abstract:
Within the healthcare facilities management arena, key performance-based condition indices such as a calculated Building Condition Index (BCI) are currently utilized as a governing indicator of facility health and performance. However, BCI alone does not adequately support enterprise-level risk prioritization and fails to provide a validated facility-to-facility risk prioritization model. Assets within the same enterprise receiving similar sustainment funding experience different rates of degradation depending on asset type and construction age thus impairing the BCI rating scale. Statistical analysis of facility metrics indicates a strong correlation between facility degradation drivers and prediction of a subset-based benchmark BCI. The research validates the grouping of enterprise assets into discrete facility subsets which consider the key contributing factors in facility condition over time. This serves to normalize BCI values and mitigate differential degradation rates. Advancing a benchmark BCI within discrete facility subsets based on primary degradation drivers establishes a statistically validated method for risk prioritization by providing a normalized baseline for BCI to benchmark BCI comparison. Benchmark BCI enables individual facility risk evaluation and comparative risk evaluation within the portfolio, enhancing the risk prioritization process when compared to the traditional BCI method.
The research focuses on current Defense Health Agency (DHA) facility management strategies and application of gained knowledge on enterprise-level facility risk management policy. Particular attention is placed on the application of benchmark BCI within discrete facility subsets for healthcare facilities within the government sector and practical application for risk-averse critical infrastructure. The contribution is a significant impact to enterprise-level strategic planning, and represents an analytical, practical, and transferable approach toward risk management in risk-averse facility portfolios.
Biography:
Christopher Alan May is a PhD Candidate in the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Department at Old Dominion University. He holds a Masters degree in Environmental Engineering from Old Dominion University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research interest is focused on data-based risk analysis for critical infrastructure. He currently serves in a consulting role for companies which work within the government sector and advocates for data-based risk analysis and risk prioritization in the facilities management arena.