BIM goals are the measurable results you want BIM to deliver, on a project or across your business: fewer clashes, less rework, a shorter programme, better handover data. Good BIM goals are SMART, agreed by the whole team and written into the BIM execution plan. Here are ten examples, and my guidelines for setting yours.
When it comes to BIM goals, many people are at a loss for what exactly they should strive for. Some know their end goal; others don't have a clue where to start.
In this article, I share guidelines for setting practical targets and some example BIM goals that will lead to success on your projects.
1. What are your goals for using BIM technology in your business or organization?
Are you looking to save time? Money? Reduce errors? Improve communication? Make better buildings?
All of the above?
BIM can do all of those things, but like anything else, it's only as good as the goals you set for it.
So how do you define reasonable BIM goals? Here are some guidelines to get you started.
BIM goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
These are the same criteria you'd use for any other business goal, and they're just as crucial for BIM goals.
BIM is a process that can help you achieve your business goals, but it's not a goal in and of itself.
Without specific and measurable goals, it's hard to tell whether BIM is truly improving your business. Make sure your BIM goals support the bigger picture - the free lesson on building a digital construction business case shows how.
A quick word on terms: a goal is the result ("cut rework by 20%"); the objectives, or BIM uses, are how you'll get there ("clash detection before every design milestone"). Set the goal first, then pick the BIM uses that serve it.
BIM goals should also be realistic. BIM is amazing, but it's not magic. It can't solve all your problems overnight.
Set realistic expectations for what BIM can do for your business, and you'll be more likely to see the results you want.
2. My 10 Example BIM Goals
It could be as simple as wanting to implement BIM on all your new projects; however, you should get more specific where you can.
Here are my ten BIM goals examples to get you started:
- We will use BIM to save X% of project costs
- We will use BIM to reduce the project schedule by X%
- We will use BIM to improve communication between architects and design engineers
- We will use BIM to save X hours per week on project coordination
- We will use BIM to reduce paper usage by X%
- We will use BIM to reduce design and construction errors by X%
- We will use BIM to create a virtual model of the project before construction begins
- We will use BIM to reduce rework and errors on construction projects
- We will use BIM to create more sustainable buildings
- We will use BIM to create a better user experience for the occupants of the building
From example to SMART goal
Each X is where your own number goes, and the goals without one need a number too. Here's what three look like once they're SMART (the numbers are only examples):
- Goal 4: cut weekly coordination meetings from six hours to four by the end of detailed design, tracked in the meeting log.
- Goal 6: reduce RFIs caused by coordination errors by 25% against our last comparable project, measured monthly until handover.
- Goal 8: cut rework on services installation by 15% against our last comparable job, by coordinating every services zone in the model before installation starts.
On an ISO 19650 project, the client's goals become its organisational and project information requirements - see the free lessons on the OIR and the PIR.
By following these guidelines, you can be sure you're setting yourself up for success with BIM.
3. Define what "success" looks like for you and your team - be specific!
When it comes to BIM goals, clarity is key.
Make sure you and your team are on the same page about what success looks like. That way you avoid confusion and frustration down the road.
Some questions to ask yourself when defining success:
- How will we know if we've achieved our BIM goals?
- What metrics will we use to measure success?
- What does success look like for our specific department or across the organization?
Take the time to answer these questions and you'll be well on your way to achievable BIM goals that lead to success.
4. Set a schedule for reviewing and updating your goals as needed
Hmmm... Are your BIM goals still achievable and realistic? If not, it's time to re-evaluate what you're trying to achieve with them.
Your BIM goals should be flexible enough to change as your business grows and changes. BIM technology is constantly evolving, so review and update your goals regularly.
I recommend reviewing and updating your BIM goals every year. That way you stay up to date with the latest BIM advances and your goals stay relevant to your business.
Has anything changed in the past 12 months that could affect how successful your next BIM project will be?!
What about the next 12 months - is anything on the horizon that could help or hinder your BIM goals?
Follow these simple steps and your BIM goals will always be up to date and, most importantly, relevant to your business!
5. Make sure everyone on your team understands and agrees to the goals
We know BIM can improve the coordination of design and construction and reduce rework. It can also improve communication between project stakeholders and give a more accurate picture of the final product.
That said, to realise the full benefits of BIM, everyone on the project team must understand and agree to the project's BIM goals, so everyone knows their responsibilities.
BIM managers need to clearly communicate the project's goals to the team and make sure everyone is working towards them.
The best way to do this is to use a BIM Execution Plan (BEP). BIM managers should develop a BEP at the beginning of the project, setting out the BIM goals, objectives and strategies - here's what goes into a BEP, with a 16-point checklist.
The BEP should be reviewed and updated regularly throughout the project, so everyone on the team knows about the latest changes and agrees to them.
Using a BIM management platform like Plannerly helps you keep track of your BIM goals, information requirements and BIM model deliverables in one place.
Plannerly also lets you automatically verify the BIM models from all project teams against the contracted Exchange Information Requirements (EIR), so you can see whether the models meet the requirements behind your goals.
6. Celebrate each success along the way!
Last but not least, don't forget to celebrate each success along the way!
BIM projects can be long and complex, so taking a step back to celebrate each milestone is essential. It keeps everyone motivated and focused on the ultimate goal - delivering a successful BIM project.
7. Less is more
One final tip: don't try to do too much at once.
BIM is a big undertaking, and taking it one step at a time is essential.
Start with a few small goals, and as you achieve them, set bigger ones.
Trying to do too much at once is a recipe for disaster - start small, and build from there!
My Final Thoughts On Setting BIM Goals
So, there you have it! These are my top tips for setting and achieving BIM goals.
I've covered why your goals should be SMART, why to review and update them regularly, and why to involve every member of the project team.
I hope my example BIM goals have been helpful - if you want more detail, you'll find it in the free templates inside Plannerly: join free to open them.
And if you're looking for more on BIM execution planning, check out the free BEP templates also inside the Plannerly app, or start from the free ISO 19650 BEP template. Prefer a PDF? Download Five Steps to Better BIM Management (opens in a new tab), free.
And remember my top tip for keeping everyone motivated - celebrate each success along the way!
Your turn! What are your BIM goals? Do you have any tips for setting and achieving good BIM goals? Share my post with your own.
Here are some questions I think you should also try to answer:
- How do you measure the success of your BIM projects?
- What was your original goal for implementing BIM in your company?
- How well has that goal been achieved?
- Are there other unanticipated benefits of using BIM that you hadn't planned for?
- Do you have any goals for using BIM in the future, either personally or professionally?
If you have questions about BIM or anything else in this post, the Plannerly team is here to help - reach out in the chat.
I blog for the Five BIM Bloggers series - there's more on the Plannerly BIM blog.
