The Goal of BIM
Beca

The Goal of BIM

If you read the words Building Information Modelling (BIM) you might be mistaken to believe that this technology is only limited to 3D design within Building Services industry. Sure, you’ve probably seen a lot of images of buildings and their internal services, and in fact my previous post showed one such example. But BIM is capable of so much more and can radically change the way a facility owner manages his/her asset.

Starting with the end in mind

Firstly the quote above isn’t my own, in fact there are a number of really intelligent people that I work with at Beca that have inspired this post. Our business is somewhat different from a traditional engineering firm, combining good old fashion engineering with other services like Business Advisory, Strategy Planning and Applied Technologies. Where Beca really stands out is in its people who are willing to work with clients up front and identify their business needs, not just providing a solution they asked for, but one that they can really benefit from. So when we talk about BIM with clients we start with the end in mind. When we talk with clients a lot of questions need to be asked, and every client is different.

  • How do you manage your assets now?
  • How do you want to operate in the future?
  • What information is valuable to you now?
  • What information will be useful to you in the future?
  • What is the best way to generate this information?
  • How will my contracting strategy be influenced?
  • What changes will I need to manage within my own organisation?
  • Do I need additional resources to maintain the information?
  • What quantitative / qualitative benefit does this information have?
  • What is the true cost of having / not having this information available to me?
  • Will I be able to integrate this data with my business management systems?

Understanding answers to these and other questions lets us tailor a strategy for the implementation of BIM on a project which would have the greatest benefit to the client in the long term.

A plan grounded in reality

Until recently, I was managing a project for a Client who was interested in the power of BIM. To understand the impact that BIM might have on their business, and establish a plan that would allow the implementation of BIM, they had commissioned a consultant to develop a BIM strategy for them. The Consultant came, discussed the project and then went away and developed a strategy submitting their final report to the client. Sometime later the Client came to me and our dialogue on BIM began something like this:

Client: “I have this report, but how do we implement BIM?
Me: “I’ve read the report, but what do you want to do with BIM?”
Client: “I know what it can do, but don’t know what I should do or how to do it.”

Despite commissioning a consultant to help them implement BIM, months later they were no closer to having a vision for BIM within their organisation.

There are so many resources available online about BIM and how it can be used. From planning to design, construction, operation and decommissioning, the whole asset life cycle can benefit from BIM. But that doesn’t mean one BIM fits all, in fact, quite the opposite. The Client had received a one size fits all plan, but it wasn’t a plan grounded in reality, and didn’t reflect their business needs.

Helping clients achieve their goals

I think a colleague of mine Craig Lamont, best put it like this;

“BIM is one of the most overused, misunderstood, fashionable catch words in the construction industry today. My take is the CEO wants BIM to deliver a Ferrari for the feel it, the Facilities guys wants a reliable Land Rover (the old type) with a flatbed tray to carry things and hold all his tools, the Operations man wants a Range Rover which is classy and yet functional. They send documents to the market and ask consultants (with different dealerships like Mercedes, BMW and Porsche) and contractors (who build cars from scratch with the cheapest parts they can source) to give them a CAR and get all upset when a mini with the wrong paint job turns up!

Successfully interpreting and reporting BIM functionality through design and construction activity is what we should be excited about. And how to turn that into a market advantage for our clients, ourselves and contractors alike is what we should be offering. BIM is not a software package but a process that managed well, has the capability to deliver.”

In this industry we need to acknowledge that design and construction represent a very short period in the life of the asset, but what is produced in that time needs to add value to the whole asset during its lifetime. Helping clients achieve their goals isn’t just about providing a 3D model of an asset and patting yourself on the back for a job well done, nor is it providing a highly detailed model to a client who doesn’t know what to do with it. Helping clients is about stakeholder engagement, understanding the client and providing an outcome that ultimately delivers what they need.

As always, I'm keen to hear your feedback. So if you enjoyed this post, please hit 'Like' below and leave a comment.

Anthony Van Kan

Principal at AIPdesigNZ

5y

Alex You have a good grasp on a tailored package that suits your client's practicality needs for BIM In my opinion there is; BIM ( Building Information Modelling ) – The technical side and how the software works BIM 1 ( Building Information Management 1 ) – Controlling the design team to deliver the expected results. BIM 2 ( Building Information Management 2 ) – Controlling the client to deliver his expected results BIM 3 ( Building Information Management 3 ) – Factory assembled components. ( Shop drawings to C&C Machining ) BIM is really the Construction Industry catching up with the automotive industry. The problem is that the automotive industries do everything. And build millions of units They have great experience in doing this and controlling their team The construction industry typical build 1 large unit with multiple fractured consultants. ( Generally the teams do not pull in the same direction at the same time ) I congratulate you, you have given a very clear article on BIM 2. Well Done

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Julian Burgess

Land Buyer at Barchester Healthcare

9y

Well written. You point out the pitfalls of the mis management of expectation very neatly with the Car analogy.

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Alex Ferguson

AI | Solution Architect | CXO | Advisory Board Member

9y

Antony, the article promotes up-front engagement with the asset owner/operator to understand their long term goals for the asset. Empowering them to better specify what they need from BIM not only in the design phase but also through procurement, construction and operation. The FM team are one key stakeholder in these discussions but are not the only stakeholders.

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Antony McPhee

Architect, BIM specialist

9y

The BIM you talk about is FM or Building Operation BIM. Construction BIM is quite different. You do not automatically get FM BIM from construction BIM, information relevant to FM has to be identified and extracted. Design professionals and contractors do not have FM expertise so are not equipped to do this. You need FM Experts. I think this article just adds to current BIM misconceptions.

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Tony Dodd

Sales & Business Development ECAT; Independent Consultant at Cube Clean Tech - Document Management & Business Process

9y

Terry thanks, after spending nearly two weeks at home with the family it`s nice to know that I can be right about something ...lol!

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