BIM Awareness
Information is Everything!
Big data, machine learning, AI... The world we live in is almost completely driven by data.
Digitalisation in our industry is late but not out of this equation.
A big transformation is at the door and its name is "BIM" for us currently.
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the production and/or the process of a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building or infrastructure.
It's a collaborative and data-driven approach that enables architects, engineers, contractors, stakeholders, and all the other parties who can be invloved to work together seamlessly throughout the entire lifecycle of a building
- Efficiency: It streamlines workflows, enhances productivity, and reduces project delays and cost overruns.
- Accuracy: BIM ensures accurate and up-to-date project information, minimizing errors and rework.
- Competitiveness: Firms that adopt BIM gain a competitive edge in the industry by delivering higher-quality projects in less time.
- Effectiveness: A structured data set which is defined with a clear purpose produces the best results for the building lifecycle.
- Improved Collaboration: BIM encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, early involvement of the parties, reducing conflicts and errors during the design and construction phases.
- Enhanced Visualization: BIM provides 3D and 4D visualizations, helping stakeholders better understand the project, identify issues, and make informed decisions.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: BIM integrates data and information, allowing for data-driven decisions that optimize project efficiency.
- Cost and Time Savings: By detecting clashes and issues early in the design phase, BIM helps reduce costly rework and delays.
Basically any company in the AECO (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations) Industry who wants to remain relevant for the upcoming years because BIM is here to stay.
A massive digitalisation shift is happening in the industry and it is changing how we do things fundementally in every field involved. Adopters will survive, resisters will be outdated.
Europe and espcially UK is leading the way; countries like Germany, Austria, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Singapore and UAE already mandated the use of BIM in public projects and/or projects which are bigger than a specific area limit. And many others are in the process.
BIM is already here. So, the sooner the better. Early adopters already have a competitive edge, why not become one of them?
The Benefits of BIM
- Improved Collaboration: BIM encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, early involvement of the parties, reducing conflicts and errors during the design and construction phases.
- Enhanced Visualization: BIM provides 3D and 4D visualizations, helping stakeholders better understand the project, identify issues, and make informed decisions.
- Cost Control: BIM allows for accurate cost estimation and budget management. It helps in tracking expenses throughout the project's lifecycle, reducing unexpected cost overruns.
- Reduced Errors and Rework: With BIM, design and construction errors are minimized, reducing the need for costly rework. This leads to savings in both time and money.
- Improved Sustainability: BIM facilitates sustainable design and construction by providing tools to analyze and optimize energy efficiency, material usage, and environmental impact.
- Efficient Project Management: BIM software includes project management features that assist in scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking, making project management more efficient.
- Clash Detection: BIM can detect clashes or conflicts in design elements, such as plumbing and electrical systems, before construction starts, avoiding costly on-site clashes.
- Data Integration: BIM integrates various project data, including drawings, specifications, and schedules, into a single digital model, ensuring data consistency and accuracy.
- Facility Management: BIM models can be used for facility management, helping owners and operators efficiently maintain and manage their buildings and infrastructure.
- Legal and Compliance Benefits: BIM can help in complying with building codes and regulations, reducing the risk of legal issues during and after construction.
- Time Savings: Projects utilizing BIM often experience shorter project durations due to improved planning and coordination.
- Risk Mitigation: BIM allows for better risk analysis and mitigation strategies, reducing potential delays and disputes during construction.
- Client Engagement: Clients can have a more active role in the design process, as BIM models are easier to understand and navigate than traditional 2D plans.
Are you familiar with these?
Some Frequently Used BIM Terms
We have derived some of the most used BIM terms and their
explanations from ISO 19650 for you below.
BIM – Building Information Modeling
Use of a shared digital representation of a built asset (3.2.8) to facilitate design, construction and operation processes to form a reliable basis for decisions.
EIR – Exchange Information Requirements
Information requirements in relation to an appointment.
BEP – BIM Execution Plan
Plan that explains how the information management aspects of the appointment will be carried out by the delivery team.
CDE - Common Data Environment
Agreed source of information for any given project or asset, for collecting, managing and disseminating each information container through a managed process
Information Container
Named persistent set of information retrievable from within a file, system or application storage hierarchy.
Federation
Creation of a composite information model from separate information containers.
TIDP – Task Information Delivery Plan
Schedule of information containers and delivery dates, for a specific task team.
MIDP – Master Information Delivery Plan
Plan incorporating all relevant task information delivery plans.
Appointing Party
receiver of information concerning works, goods or services from a lead appointed party.
Appointed Party
Provider of information concerning works, goods or services.
Delivery Team
Lead appointed party and their appointed parties.
Task Team
Individuals assembled to perform a specific task.