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What is BIM?

 

Definitions of BIM range greatly, but they all have one thing in common—big words. So I merged the explanations from various sources, stripped out the fancy jargon, and came up with this:

BIM is blueprints on steroids …but those are some powerful steroids!

To expand a little, BIM is a virtual 3D model that represents the facility to be built, with all of its systems and functional and physical characteristics displayed in relation to each other, as well as data about every aspect of the project.

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BIM for Contractors

 

If you’re an owner, architect, or designer, you probably already understand the value of BIM: find conflicts earlier, visualize the finished facility, automate repetitive tasks, and make sure all parties are on the same page from the start of the project.

But as the project moves into construction, what benefits does BIM have if you’re a GC or a subcontractor?

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Avoid Rework

 

Detect and resolve conflicts between systems before construction begins.

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Communicate More Efficiently

 

Because everyone is working from the latest version of the plans, you’ll never miss an update and your questions can be answered faster.

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Test New Procedures

 

Visualize untested or complex processes to predict problems before they happen.

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Improve Safety

 

Reduce risks created by inadequate perimeter protection and unsafe site layouts.

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Prefabricate Offsite

 

Save cost by prefabricating some items in the shop instead of on the spot.

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Save on Materials

 

Know upfront what materials you’ll need to take advantage of economies of scale and just-in-time ordering, resulting in lower costs and less waste.

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Manage Logistics

 

Avoid project delays by making sure everybody has the equipment, materials, plans, and instructions they need, when they need them.

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Give Input on Designs

 

Collaborate with designers to ensure constructability and potentially cut costs.

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The Downsides of BIM

 

Last week, we came up with a brief explanation of BIM and talked about its benefits, specifically for contractors and manufacturers.  But as with any new technology, especially one so disruptive to tried-and-true processes, most of us still have doubts. Here’s a look at those challenges, along with some real-world advice for addressing them.

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Legal Risks

 

BIM is changing how designers and contractors work together. Traditionally, contractors haven’t been involved in the design process, putting the responsibility on the architect or engineer to avoid errors and omissions. But with BIM, it will be difficult for contractors to skirt blame for problems caused by faulty drawings.

Similar to what happened with the internet, BIM is new but the laws surrounding it are not. So maybe the biggest risk is the unknown. What happens if the BIM software fails and causes a delay—who’s responsible?

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Added Costs

 

Simply put, BIM costs money—hardware upgrades, training, and technical support, and the software itself all immediately come to mind.

BIM can cost time and effort too. It’s subject to the same inefficiencies as any other process: designers who don’t document their decisions, unproductive meetings, duplicate work, and lack of strategy and expectations. It also has additional frustrations that come with large file sizes (note to manufacturers: limit the size of your BIM objects), inexperienced users, and incompatible software (covered in its own section below).

While BIM does save time and money overall—by detecting clashes before construction begins, enabling better collaboration, and more—you have to spend at the beginning to see the rewards later, which can be hard to justify on fast-track and tight-budget projects.

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Skills Shortage

 

There are employment shortages throughout the construction industry, and the BIM specialization is no different…well, it actually is—because BIM is so new and highly technical, finding new employees with the right skills is even more difficult.

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“BIM-less” Partners

 

BIM works best if everyone on the project is using it. So what do you do if you’re working with a partner who is unwilling or unable to use BIM? (Or what if you are that partner?) Do you go back to 2D construction documents?

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Incompatible Software

 

As BIM becomes more common, it also becomes more complicated. Like any new breakthrough in technology, we’ve ended up with multiple, often incompatible versions (think Mac vs. PC).  To translate from one platform to another, companies often end up recreating early conceptual design models and re-entering data—losing some of the big benefits of BIM. One expert estimates that incompatible software can account for 2-3% of a project’s total budget.

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Are You BIM-Ready?

 

As BIM use continues to increase, it’s becoming less exotic and more expected. So if you aren’t at least somewhat familiar with the process and technology, it’s probably time to get started.

BIM doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing undertaking. In fact, it shouldn’t be—at the industry level, BIM has been a slow evolution with lots of trial and error. Follow that lead and start slow by using it on just one project. Leave room to make mistakes and learn from them, and time for your company’s culture to start shifting.

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Choosing Your First BIM Project

 

Think carefully about which project you choose, keeping BIM’s strengths in mind. For example:

  • Do you have a retrofit project where the client would benefit from better visualization?

  • Would BIM’s clash detection help you fit multiple complex systems into a small space?

  • Are limited lay-down areas giving you logistical nightmares?

Consider your partners too—can you work with architects, engineers, general contractors, and/or subcontractors who are experienced in BIM?

Of course, depending on your role, your trade, and any number of other factors, a better question might be, “Does this upcoming project require you to use BIM?”! But even if your first BIM project isn’t the one you’d choose for yourself, you can still set yourself up for success.

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Convincing the Powers That Be

 

Unless you’re a one-person operation, you’ll need to get your partners, investors, managers, etc., on board with BIM.

Your best bet is to show them the money—prove the cost- and time-saving benefits of BIM. Allow us to shamelessly self-promote for a minute and suggest (re)reading the first post in this series, especially the real-world success stories.

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Starting Out Right

 

How many times in life have you wished for a do-over or a fresh start? Don’t add BIM to that list—take the right steps to build a solid foundation before you get started.

 

1. Do Your Research

Talk to similar companies about their experiences implementing BIM. Always take the opportunity to learn from someone else’s mistakes before you have to learn from your own! Look for a get-started class—if you can’t find something through your local AGC chapter or a community college, there are dozens of online options. And make sure to get as much advice as you can before investing in software or upgraded hardware.

2. Be Strategic

Talk about your goals for your first time using BIM. Do you want the core team to learn the software? Do you want to prove the benefits of BIM to your stakeholders? Once you define those goals, make a plan with specific milestones and deadlines to keep yourself on track.

3. Put Your Team Together

First, who is your BIM champion? You need someone to keep the goals and the plan at the forefront. You might be tempted to fold these responsibilities into the project manager role. Don’t let your that person stay focused on the success of the entire project, and create a new role to oversee the BIM implementation and prioritize the goals you outlined above. Ideally, this same person will serve as the champion for all of your future BIM projects.

Next, put together your soon-to-be experts who will work with the model itself and later figure out how to incorporate BIM in future projects. For this first project, don’t try to involve everyone in the company. Start with a small group of employees who can work out the kinks and eventually kick off a “train the trainer” program.

Consider bringing in an outside BIM consultant who can explain the best practices for a company of your type and size and help you set up a realistic plan to reach your goals.

4. Track and Record Everything

You can’t apply the lessons you learn to the next project if you don’t remember what they are. Keep notes from meetings, save drafts, even take screenshots. You can always purge what you don’t need later, but you can’t rely on memory alone to recreate crucial information.

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Don’t Get Too Far Behind

 

Start slow and take the time to do it right, but remember that technology moves fast, and new uses for BIM are being developed every day.

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Laser Scanning

 

Laser scans of a site’s shape and appearance are being used to create near-perfect 3D BIM models to make prefabrication and systems coordination more accurate and efficient.

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Facilities Management

 

The information stored in a BIM model during design and construction can be invaluable even after the project is completed, helping streamline maintenance, increase energy efficiency, and reduce retrofit and renovation costs. Facility managers make use of “6D BIM” models, which store operation manuals, photos, manufacturer information, serial numbers, and even warranty data.

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Augmented Reality

 

A BIM model of a building can be placed in virtual context of its proposed site. Using a mobile device, the 3D model of the completed structure can be overlaid onto a 2D drawing or image, or even while in front of the actual site.

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Additional Sources Consulted

  • “BIM Lawsuit Offers Cautionary Tale,” Architectural Record

  • “Communication, Communication, Communication: Lessons From A BIM Lawsuit,” Best Practices Construction Law

  • “The Route to BIM in 10 Steps,” Building.co.uk

  • “How to Integrate BIM into Small Practices,” Capterra Construction Management Blog

  • “The Benefits of BIM,” Construction Business Owner

  • “The Expanding Reach of Constructible Models,” Construction Executive

  • “Preparing for the BIM Talent Crunch,” Construction Executive

  • “Supplementing BIM With 3-D PDFs Enables Better Communication,” Construction Executive

  • “Transcending the BIM Hype,” DPR Construction

  • “Getting Clients, Colleagues, and Management to Adopt BIM Technology,” Line/Shape/Space

  • “10 Truths About BIM,” WSP Group

  • (x)arc solutions LinkedIn discussion

  • “The route to BIM in 10 steps,” Building.co.uk

  • “BIM and the Measure of Success,” Construction Executive

  • “Top 24 Tech Predictions,” Construction Executive

  • “5 Reasons Why You’re BIM Ready,” Line/Shape/Space

  • “All Aboard! 8 BIM Training Tips to Design a Program for Everyone in Your Office,” Line/Shape/Space

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