BIM Execution Planning (BEP) Guide

If you’re looking for a detailed guide to BIM Execution Planning (the BEP), you’ve come to the right place! 😍 In this blog, I will discuss everything you need to know about BIM Execution Plans and how they can help your business.

I’ll cover topics from what a BEP is to why it’s critical to your project. I’ll show you how to create a successful BEP and provide helpful templates and resources. So whether you’re just getting started with BIM or looking for ways to improve your current execution planning, this blog post has something for you! By the end of this guide, you’ll be an expert on BIM Execution Planning! 😉

1. Why Do We Need Better Planning On “BIM Projects”?

I believe that every project should make use of BIM (Building Information Modeling) in its processes, but hey, not everyone is perfect… 🤷‍♂️

So, let me begin by briefly defining the distinction between a BIM project and a non-BIM project and how this drives the necessity for a solid BIM plan.

Teams on BIM projects are usually more eager to improve processes and are generally more willing to put in the extra work to learn new tech.

This is not to say that everyone on a non-BIM project is lazy or doesn’t care, but in general, BIM teams tend to be more proactive when it comes to process improvement.

That proactive nature leads to more effort sooner in the project.

BIM Projects (using a BEP) versus non-BIM projects
The figure above presents the effort required for a BIM project vs. a traditionally delivered project.

It also highlights the impact and cost of making modifications throughout a project’s development.

Essentially, making changes sooner is preferable and less expensive, and that is precisely what BIM can assist with!

I’m attempting to convey that the more intensive efforts at the beginning of the project necessitate better and earlier planning.

That’s where the BIM Execution Plan comes in!

2. What Is A BIM Execution Plan?

A BIM Execution Plan is a document/resource that outlines how a project team will use BIM workflows, tools, and techniques to achieve the desired project outcomes.

It includes details such as the roles and responsibilities of those involved, the timeline for the project, and the deliverables that will be produced.

It can also include information on the BIM quality management system to be used and the software and hardware that will be required.

3. Why Do We Need A BIM Execution Plan?

In short, a BIM execution plan is an essential tool for any BIM project because it helps us to set clear goals and coordinate all aspects of the project.

It should answer critical questions such as “What BIM software will be used on the project?” and “Who is responsible for what tasks?”.

It helps ensure that everyone on the project knows the BIM goals and objectives.

The sooner you start working on a design/construction project execution plan, the better.

Don’t be concerned; if you require some assistance, I’ll show you precisely what should go into your BIM Execution Plan and where to get some of the best BIM Execution Planning templates.

Now that we know why we need one, let’s talk about what is included in one!

4. What Is Included In A BEP? (16 Point Checklist)

Here’s a 16 point list of the main things you should include in your BIM Execution Plan:

  1. A brief introduction to the project
  2. The BIM/model uses – what the BIM/modeling will be utilized for
  3. The roles and responsibilities of those involved
  4. What success for BIM looks like on the project
  5. Any Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that will be used
  6. Important project milestones
  7. The deliverables that must be produced
  8. The software and hardware that will be required
  9. The technology budget/plans for the project
  10. Standards to be followed (for example, the BIM Forum LOD Spec or ISO 19650 Level of Information Need)
  11. Process maps to help describe workflows
  12. The training requirements for teams to get the best out of BIM
  13. The risks and opportunities associated with using BIM on the project
  14. The timeline for the project
  15. The BIM quality management processes to be used
  16. Contract terms

5. How To Create A BIM Execution Plan

Now that we know what goes into a BEP let’s talk about how to create one.

There is no one-size-fits-all template for a BIM Execution Plan, as each project is unique and will have different requirements.

However, there are some general steps that you can follow when creating your BEP.

Some tips for creating a BEP 💡

Here is a suggested process for creating a BIM Execution Plan:

  • Start by gathering information about the project, such as the scope of work, the schedule, and the budget
  • Then, develop a list of key objectives for the project
  • Next, identify how BIM can help solve these objectives
  • The roles and responsibilities of those involved
  • Then, determine the deliverables that need to be produced
  • Then, select which software will be used
  • After that, create a timeline for the project and identify any milestones
  • Finally, develop a quality management plan and contract terms

Once you have all of this information, you can start to put together your BIM Execution Plan.

Remember to tailor the plan to fit the specific needs of your project, and make sure to include all of the relevant stakeholders in the planning process.

6. BIM Project Execution Plan Templates

You will find many good templates online as a starting point – you could use the Penn State BIM Execution Plan Template or the CDBB templates. Plannerly also has 100’s of online BIM Execution Plan template sections too:

Using a BEP BIM Execution Plan example template
Selecting a BIM Execution Plan (BEP) template inside Plannerly

Over 250 teams manage the Plannerly templates in over 50 countries and in 15 languages – pretty cool.

They can also be dragged and dropped to create your own customized documents quickly:

7 Things You Should Consider For Your BEP - includes 16 point checklist of what should go into your BIM Execution Plan (BEP) Drag and drop BIM Execution Plan sections into the BEP BEP
Drag and drop BEP sections from templates

Here’s a video of Clive Jordan (a Plannerly Co-founder) showing how simple it is to use the templates to create an example BIM Execution Plan:

Building a BIM Execution Plan

7. How To Implement A BIM Execution Plan

The benefits of having a BIM Execution Plan in place are many; however, BEPs are not easy to develop or implement.

Indeed, even the most comprehensive BEPs can frequently go ignored entirely.

Just creating a document called a BIM Execution Plan is not enough.

A BEP is not a check box.

These documents are frequently disregarded because they are sometimes generated in a silo using file-based software or Word document, then PDF’d, and just sent in an email.

There is no collaboration, so there is no buy-in from the crucial teams involved.

For exemplary implementation, you must use a collaborative process!

The ISO 19650 standards use an approval process that includes the following statuses:

  • Work In Progress
  • Shared
  • Published
  • (and Archived)

Inside Plannerly, you can use these to ensure that permission-based access and authorizations are in place and that teams collaborate on the best BEP possible with buy-in.

Updating the BEP from Work In Progress to Shared and then to Published (and authorized for use)
When teams approve the BEP, stakeholders must modify the document. This involves updating the BEP from In Progress to Shared and then to Published (and authorized for use).

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Almost everything you need to know about BIM Execution Plans! 😎

I hope that my outline of steps to create a BEP and template suggestions and tips for effective implementation are useful.

Plannerly can be used to create all project documents, and scopes and manage the schedule and it is a great tool for its ease of use and ability to encourage collaboration among project stakeholders. Plus, teams are constantly adding new content, and the developers add new features to make BEP creation even more straightforward.

Some of the key advantages of using Plannerly are:

  • The tools are easy to use
  • It’s flexible and configurable
  • The user interface is intuitive
  • There are soo many free templates
  • It encourages collaboration and information sharing
  • It helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page

So, if you’re looking for the best way to create BEPs quickly, look no further than Plannerly. You can sign up for free too!:

FAQs:

What Is A BIM Execution Plan?

A BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is a document that outlines how a BIM project will be executed, managed, and delivered. It is an essential tool for ensuring that all stakeholders are on the same page from the start of the project and that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. The BEP should also include a clear timeline for deliverables and milestones and checkpoints for BIM quality assurance. So why do we need one? Because without a plan, projects can quickly become chaotic and difficult to manage. By having a detailed BIM Execution Plan in place, you can avoid many of the common pitfalls of delivering BIM projects. So if you’re thinking about starting a BIM project, be sure to create a comprehensive BIM Execution Plan first. It will save you a lot of headaches down the road!

How Do You Make A BIM Execution Plan?

Start by gathering information about the project, such as the scope of work, the schedule, and the budget. Then, develop a list of key objectives for the project. Next, identify how BIM can help solve these objectives. The roles and responsibilities of those involved. Then, determine the deliverables that need to be produced. Then, select which software will be used. After that, create a timeline for the project and identify any milestones. Finally, develop a BIM quality management plan and contract terms.

BIM BEP Examples

While it may be tempting just to wing it, a well-thought-out BEP can save a lot of time and headaches down the road. Plannerly’s planning module and BEP templates are a great shortcut to getting all the essential pieces started without starting from scratch. Plannerly has a clean and modern interface that is easy to use, versatile and configurable, there are a lot of free templates available, it promotes productivity by helping you to focus on your goals, and it’s affordable!

Why Is A BIM Execution Plan Important?

A BIM execution plan is crucial because it provides a framework for coordinating all people, processes, and tools involved in a BIM project. Having a well-defined strategy in place helps ensure that everyone involved understands their roles and responsibilities and knows what BIM success looks like on the project. A BEP is also the first step to avoiding costly and time-consuming mistakes during construction.

I blog for the Five BIM Bloggers series.

Every week we share different perspectives on important BIM topics!

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