1. BIM is not a software.
Its almost unbelievable how many professionals in the built environment have described building information modelling (BIM) as a software, more specifically, Revit. All too often, I get a “Yes, I’m familiar with BIM. I use Revit!” BIM is not a software. To oversimplify, BIM can be defined as a mind-set. Its about re-engineering ways of working to get the maximum benefits of collaboration in construction and digital technologies. It is a process, a process that involves the digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a project. This process is different in that the shared knowledge forms a reliable basis for decision making in the project lifecycle. Therefore, a lot of the work and investment is to be done in change management, organisational culture and leadership, and not so much on the software. Regardless, this process is complimented by design and management software. The software can be considered BIM-aiding tools and not the backbone of BIM adoption. There is a wide array of BIM software packages, about 150 applications worldwide. So, the question becomes, which software should one use? More on this will be covered in an overview of BIM software packages.
2. BIM does not have to be expensive.
With the recent research on BIM, most case studies have focused on big projects and big companies. As a result, a BIM approach is associated with ‘big’ and ‘expensive’. Fact of the matter is that all projects incur the same kinds of constraints at varying scales. If anything, smaller companies and projects could potentially gain the most from collaboration and efficiency. BIM adoption at a smaller scale allows the company to grow in a coordinated organisational culture and have a larger learning database throughout the company’s history. Although, this poses the question of cost. How much will BIM adoption cost? As with any business change or growth strategy, there will be some upfront cash required. And just like any other strategy, these costs should be countered against the long-term benefits. Regardless, BIM does not have to be expensive. BIM business strategies and cases are created to address this. A BIM Business case would detail; the company’s strengths , weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) evaluation and analysis, organisational training and upskilling of employees, the selection of appropriate software to upgrade to or purchase, future proofing and financial planning (including a return on BIM investment calculation).
3. Who is BIM for?
BIM is a collaborative process of project delivery, and therefore includes all stakeholders in a project. BIM uncovers all views of the same underlying information, so all project participants stand to gain from these new ways of working. It goes without say that the different roles of BIM will differ per consultant, including BIM for;
· The client — to enhance their understanding of the project. This can done through familiarising with dimension modelling (nD modelling; later discussed in the article) approaches to a project as a better solution to traditional construction, providing accurate and adequate information for key decisions and added value services such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
· The architect — to provide data of the design intent model and develop the minimums of the intent model through technical and interpersonal skills.
· The contractor — to review and give model customisation, site modelling, providing an integrated environment to coordinate, share and manage accurate project files.
· Manufacturers/ supply chain — to produce digital twins of the project products alongside the physical product, to efficiently supply the said product to the project supply chain.
· Quantity surveyors — to carry out quantity take offs, to generate schedules and cost estimations efficiently and effectively throughout the project lifecycle.
· Facilities management — to manage asset data, following the construction phase, different from the geometric construction information. This is known as Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie).
· BIM Consultant — to create BIM adoption strategies, BIM execution plans and BIM project facilitation.
· Sustainability — to enable sustainable development through performance analysis, leaner project delivery and birth to cradle project strategies.
4. What encompasses BIM?
The scope of BIM keeps expanding with every new tech incorporation into the construction industry. But to keep it straight to the point, information technology (IT) has been a huge part of the BIM movement. This IT tools are not necessarily new in the market, but it’s the innovative use in the built environment that is. Some of these include Data Base Management Systems (DBMS), software development and mobile BIM, internet of things (IOT), big data, smart technologies e.g. smart contracts, blockchain technology, virtual reality (VR), Augmented reality (AR), 3D printing, laser (scanners), Radio frequency identification (RFID), drones and robots.
These elements require further discussions on how each can be linked and relates to BIM. One thing is for certain, the world is moving to a digital era…where everything is SMART. The next generation of cities and homes will be intelligent buildings, and only smart technologies and methodologies can achieve this. More on smart cities and intelligent buildings in upcoming articles.
5. Definitions of BIM maturity levels.
Another misconceived concept of BIM is the maturity levels and dimension modelling (nD modelling). nD modelling constitutes the different information added to a 3D model, that is 4D modelling is time (scheduling) and 5D modelling is cost. There is speculation on how to define 6D modelling and 7D modelling, such as sustainability and facilities management but currently, there is no universal definition of 6D and 7D modelling in BIM.
Which brings us to BIM levels. There are four levels to BIM execution, as shown in the images below.
Level 0: means no collaboration where only 2D CAD drafting is utilised, mainly for production information output and distribution is via paper or electronic prints, or a mixture of both.
Level 1: comprises a mixture of 3D CAD for concept work, and 2D for drafting of statutory approval documentation and production information, with a collaboration tool providing a Common Data Environment (CDE).
Level 2: collaborative working and requires an information exchange process which is specific to that project and coordinated between various systems and project participants. Additionally, all design software in the project must be capable of exporting to one of the common file formats such as IFC (Industry Foundation Class) or COBie (Construction Operations Building Information Exchange). Lastly, all federated model information is shared within a Common Data Environment (CDE).
Level 3: has not yet been fully defined. However, the vision looks something like this.
To get a better understanding of how the BIM levels are defined, the B1M gives an extensive video here.
6. Existing BIM standards.
BIM like any other implementation programme has set standards. The standards surrounding BIM exist in different capacities and complement each other to define the different BIM levels. According to the Department of Business, Innovation and skills (BSI UK) the following documents comprise the latest BIM standards.
PAS 1192 framework: sets out the requirements for the level of model detail (the graphical content), model information (non-graphical content, such as specification data), model definition (its meaning) and model information exchanges.
· PAS 1192–2: 2013, which deals with the construction (CAPEX) phase, and specifies the requirements for Level 2 maturity; sets out the framework, roles and responsibilities for collaborative BIM working; builds on the existing standard of BS 1192, and expands the scope of the Common Data Environment (CDE).
· PAS 1192–3: 2014, which deals with the operational (OPEX) phase, focussing on use and maintenance of the Asset Information Model, for Facilities Management.
· BS 1192–4: 2014, technically a code of practice rather than a specification standard, which documents best practice for the implementation of COBie.
· PAS 1192–5: 2015, a specification for security-minded building information modelling, digital built environments and smart asset management.
· PAS 1192–6: a specification for collaborative sharing and use of structured health and safety information using BIM.
· PAS 1192–7: Construction product information — Specification for defining, sharing and maintaining structured digital construction product information.
CIC BIM Protocol: the supplementary legal agreement that can be incorporated into contractual documentation establishing obligations, liabilities and limitations on the use of building information models.
BS EN ISO 19650 Part 1&2: Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM) — Information management using building information modelling. This is the latest standard governing BIM implementation.
7. The future of construction.
Its difficult to define the future of construction, but the digital era is here, and it has been long overdue. My speculations are that the industry will eventually take up on BIM, much like the automotive industry did (half a century ago). A big fear is what will this mean for professionals in the industry? Will this mean replacement of certain roles? Certainly not! BIM provides an extremely wide range of applications and the potential to create unimaginable roles in the project lifecycle. Additionally, BIM will challenge the construction industry to re-imagine project development and the kind of tech that will be borne from it.
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