BIM: A Game-Changer for Construction Planning and Execution

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BIM processes are effective ways of avoiding costly construction errors by encouraging collaboration, visualization, and understanding between project participants. Their benefits include increased productivity, cost efficiency, and reduced rework and risk.

At the same time, transitioning BIM itself does not come without risks. The main one being the cost (time and money-wise). Training and integrating a new process comes with a unique set of challenges that, of course, can be overcome with continued communication between departments.

Let’s take a look at why construction professionals consider building information modeling to be a game changer in the construction process.

BIM vs CAD: The differences

The difference between BIM and CAD is easily seen when comparing traditional construction technologies to newer technologies like XYZ Reality’s BIM, for example. XYZ integrated AR (augmented reality) to help enhance the design and collaboration process. While not all BIM tools make use of Engineering Grade AR™, BIM enhances the collaboration between teams in a way CAD cannot.

CAD is a software used to create equipment and toys. It can be used for floor planning and modeling, however BIM is specifically designed for use in construction design. Let’s take a look at more benefits of building information modeling below.

Collaborative Design

The collaborative design allows different design professionals to combine their visions with those of fabricators and contractors for optimal outcomes and lower project costs. By working together, this can lead to faster workflows and reduced project expenses. Many construction companies are switching from CAD to BIM for this very reason.

BIM level 3 software is more collaborative than previous versions, using a central model as the basis of all associative plans (facades, sections, and perspectives).

Any changes made to this main model are instantly reflected across other models (dimensions hatches and annotations included), shortening project documentation creation time while increasing quality and permitting more precise plans to be drawn.

Though BIM can streamline communication, its use may also blur lines of creative responsibility and lead to litigation. This, however, can be avoided through the use of standard contracts and development arrangements regarding creative ownership and authorship beforehand.

Collaboration Between Architects & Engineers

Architects and engineers collaborate in the design phase for any building structure to ensure its aesthetics, space usage requirements, and MEP design requirements all match up perfectly.

BIM allows all elements to be seamlessly incorporated into one model for the entire project, helping to avoid clashes while providing complete and accurate information.

As well, other members of the team can use the unified model to provide input and feedback on various aspects of design, helping reduce change orders and field coordination issues while increasing overall productivity. Furthermore, its accessibility through a common data environment enables easier communication with stakeholders and project owners alike.

Collaboration Between Architects & Contractors

Construction firms often utilize BIM to reduce costs, increase productivity and enhance design quality. Implementation can be challenging however and requires both management support and employee buy-in to work smoothly. BIM requires change within teams which may lead to confusion or frustration in its implementation.

Contractors need training in BIM protocol so they understand its use. With it, contractors can prepare cost estimates at the pre-design stage and collaborate with architects on analyzing different design options – which allows for informed decisions without field coordination issues and early identification/resolution of issues that reduce risk and increase project profitability.

Furthermore, BIM offers an open framework for communication and collaboration among team members.

Collaboration Between all Stakeholders

BIM facilitates the integration of all stakeholders’ roles, leading to greater efficiency and harmony between players who traditionally saw themselves as adversaries. The benefits of this paradigm shift include improved communication processes, lower overall project risks, and enhanced productivity.

Even though architects and designers were the primary users of BIM, subcontractors also reported notable advantages from its utilization: reduced RFIs (requests for information) and field coordination issues as well as an increase in project wins.

Implementing BIM requires an organization-wide culture of collaboration. Furthermore, team members must understand their roles and responsibilities as well as best practices for working together if the goal is to maximize design process efficiency and ultimately increase project performance in terms of cost, schedule, quality, and safety.

Collaboration Between Architects & Owners

Architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) companies have long sought ways to reduce project costs while increasing productivity. Building information modeling (BIM) offers this potential by creating an accurate virtual model containing precise geometry and relevant data that will be utilized throughout the building process.

However, this requires a significant paradigm shift in AEC workflow and project delivery processes.

Conclusion

This new way of working encourages more cooperative relationships than adversarial ones between players who were once seen as competitors; creating opportunities for greater efficiency, quality, and harmony in AEC projects. However, with any paradigm shift comes risks and challenges – for this reason, good support is crucial in this undertaking.