4 Top Tips ???? To Get The Benefits Of BIM Technology

IntroDUCTION

The practical use of BIM can benefit many aspects in the design, construction and operations workflows.

Most of these benefits are related to an increase in automation that will lead to better productivity and a reduction in rework.

Let’s first understand BIM (Building Information Modeling). BIM helps teams create a “Digital Twin” of a building before construction.

Using BIM and Virtual Design and Construction techniques helps teams share structured information between multiple teams during design and construction and can also enhance operations and maintenance of the built asset for years into the future!

Having said that BIM can also be extremely disruptive for many areas of the business and to get the benefits it’s also not as easy as just stating “let’s do some BIM!” ????

You can begin to benefit from BIM by simply upgrading the methods that teams use to collaborate.

For example; Enhancing visualization and communication by spinning a 3D model around vs zooming + panning 2D drawings.

A simple 3D visual is just the first step to help boost team communication ???? 

Additional benefits from BIM are that it allows us to see what might happen before it actually occurs on the construction site!

One of the most widely implemented BIM uses is to apply BIM to automatically identify and eliminate clashes (3D elements with conflicts) early to reduce construction risk.

The 3D model can be used to automate structural analysis or for 4D simulations to improve project sequencing.

We can also target discipline-specific areas like cost in pre-construction. Using BIM for more precise quantities can result in more accurate project estimates that can be updated more quickly (and automatically) as changes occur in the 3D model.

In the following 4 clips ???? Sonali shares her expert views on how to start with BIM and also get the maximum benefits!

1. Setting BIM Expectations

What are you supposed to do when a client wants the Taj Mahal but they’re only paying enough for a cave?

To start us off Sonali outlines the problems that currently exist when setting expectations for Building Information Modeling and also begins to explain a framework to help.

The main goal here is to ensure that any disconnect between a client’s BIM expectations and the resulting BIM services provided can be avoided.

In order to get the maximum benefits of BIM technology, it is crucial to establish a process to understand not only WHAT the customer expects to be delivered, but also WHY.

The defined purposes, translated into BIM use cases for the available BIM technology, will help the teams to deliver exactly what is required at the right time and in the right format.

This will help eliminate (digital) waste from the project.

Getting this process right – possibly by using ISO 19650 workflows – means that we can hopefully avoid situations where a customer is asking for the Taj Mahal, when they only have a budget for a small cave.

2. Achieve The Benefits Of BIM Through The Use Of Technology To Establish Clear + Efficient Standards 

What is the change that is needed to bring wholesale changes to the process and the industry?

Sonali advocates caution, and believes that establishing a proper structure and process to manage the modeling, quantities and budgeting is the way forward for the industry as a whole.

How soon can we get the most benefits of BIM technology?

How many different use cases should we target in a project?

Sonali advocates the use of BIM technology, but a cautious approach with smaller steps in implementation.

Experience gained on one project will grow confidence to explore other fields of BIM during the next one.

3. Overcoming The Challenges Of Implementing Building Information Modeling

Unfortunately the challenges for BIM adoption can include people, process and the technology.

Making changes to the way teams currently work can instigate improvements however propagating that change across the entire industry is a significant challenge.

Using the chicken and egg analogy, Sonali feels that focusing on the core process is the only way to ensure ROI (Return On Investment) in the long run and avoid future pitfalls.

What are the challenges to implement BIM technology?

Is it mostly a people, process or technology issue?

Many people might want to use a 3D model for construction but often there is not enough modeling complete to build from without using the 2D drawings.

These challenges cause difficulties when trying to implement new processes.

Sometimes this can feel a little like a “chicken and egg” situation.

Large Returns On Investment (ROI) are unlikely to occur on your first project so you should try to focus on some quick-wins for BIM rather than setting such high expectations that they instead become an obstacle to adoption of BIM technology.

It takes a strategic and dedicated effort to implement better information management practices to realize the true benefits of BIM technology.

4. What are the right BIM standards to gain the optimum benefits from BIM?

Sonali reveals that as each client wants things done their own way, they have been trying to create and use standardized templates to ensure uniformity across the board.

Plannerly has certainly been of great value to Sonali and her team to first visualize and then implement those templates.

The flexibility of Plannerly helps design and construction teams like Sonali’s create templates that follow standard approaches and also gain the specific benefits of using BIM technology for each customer.

???? CONCLUSION

Gaining the true benefits of BIM technology is almost impossible without first focussing on the BIM process and developing a robust BIM plan.

If you are interested to learn more about BIM planning please research more here:

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