Hello, my name is Akos, and in this article, I will be sharing some best practices for creating BIM Execution Plans (BEP) that are not only visually appealing but also actively followed by project teams! 😉
Over the past 15 years, my team and I have worked as BIM managers and have created numerous BIM Execution Plans. However, we noticed that many of these plans were not read, followed, or put into action 😖
As a result, we have developed a new process to ensure that BEPs are effectively implemented!
Challenges in Implementing BIM Execution Plans
Before diving into the solutions, let's first identify the main challenges that can hinder the successful execution of BIM Execution Plans. These challenges include:
- Lack of Clear Targets: When the purpose and goals of BIM are not clearly defined, it becomes challenging to achieve the desired outcomes.
- Ignored and Unenforced Plans: In some cases, BIM Execution Plans are simply ignored or not enforced, leading to a lack of implementation.
- Diverse Skill Sets: In a collaborative BIM environment, teams may have varying levels of BIM adoption and skill sets, making it difficult to align and coordinate efforts.
🎥 Five Minute Intro to Improve BIM Execution Planning (BEP)
Strategies for Effective BEP Implementation
To overcome these challenges and ensure the successful execution of BIM Execution Plans, it is important to follow these best practices:
- Clear Communication and Team Engagement: To address the lack of clear targets, it is crucial to communicate effectively with project teams and actively engage them in the creation of the BEP. By involving every team member and seeking their feedback, the likelihood of following the BEP increases significantly.
- Contractual Requirements: To ensure that the BEP is not just a document but a contractual obligation, it is essential to establish contracted requirements that outline the scope of deliverables and responsibilities. This will provide a detailed understanding of what needs to be delivered and by whom.
- Simplified Processes: Given the diverse skill sets within project teams, it is necessary to simplify processes so that every team member can understand their roles and responsibilities. Breaking down the data into digestible, easily understandable pieces of information and making it available to teams early on will expedite feedback and alignment.
Enhancing Teamwork and Setting Clear Expectations
Enhancing teamwork and setting clear expectations are vital for effective BEP implementation. Here are some strategies to achieve this:
- Clearly Defined Roles and Responsibilities: Set clear expectations by clearly defining who is responsible for what at each stage of the project. Establish an approval workflow that enables team members to contribute their insights and understand the execution process in detail.
- Structured Data Management: Replace traditional, lengthy BIM execution plan documents with structured data management. By using tools like Excel sheets, teams can easily understand and manage the deliverables and requirements of the project. Breaking down data into easily understandable sections and providing early access to teams for feedback will ensure improved teamwork and collaboration.
Contracts, Executive Support, and Visualization
Contracts, executive support, and visualization play crucial roles in the successful implementation of BIM Execution Plans. Here's how to leverage them effectively:
- Contracted Requirements: Having contracted requirements and responsibilities for each stakeholder ensures a clear understanding of the project's principles and specific responsibilities. This clarity promotes a higher level of buy-in and ensures that the plan is followed.
- Executive Support and Education: Educating executives on the value of BIM deliverables and the process required to achieve them is essential. Inviting executives into the creation of the BEP and using visual aids to explain the project's goals and processes will help gain executive support.
- Visualize and Simplify BIM: BIM processes can be complex, but visualizing them and making them easy to understand for all project stakeholders, regardless of their level of BIM implementation, is crucial. By presenting information visually, you can ensure a better understanding and alignment among team members.
Planning Components and Specifying Requirements
Planning components and specifying requirements are essential steps to aligning project deliverables with the BEP. Here's how to approach these steps effectively:
- Identify BIM Use Cases: For each stage of the project, identify the specific use cases and tasks that are required. This will help teams understand the type of information needed at each stage.
- Component Planning: Building information modeling involves working with models and their components. Define the modeling elements and deliverables that teams need to focus on. Ensure that these components and deliverables are included in the project plans.
- Specify Requirements: Develop clear requirements for each stage of the project. Different stages may require different types of information and deliverables. Clearly communicate these requirements to the teams to avoid unnecessary delays or overburdening them with excessive information.
Defining Responsibilities and avoiding duplicates
Defining responsibilities and avoiding duplicates are essential for successful BIM execution. Consider the following strategies:
- Responsibility Matrix: Clearly define and communicate who is responsible for each task or scope at a given point in time. Additionally, identify any overlapping responsibilities and establish smooth shifting of responsibilities. This will eliminate duplicate efforts and improve coordination.
- Automated Model Checking: When working with models, it is crucial to ensure that they meet the contractual requirements. Implement automated model checking tools that allow teams to perform autonomous checks on models, ensuring compliance with the set standards. This will help streamline the review process and reduce communication hurdles.
- Standard Naming Convention: To facilitate seamless data exchange, establish a standard naming convention for files. By automating the naming process based on file metadata, you can eliminate human errors and ensure consistent and organized file management.
Leveraging Technology and ISO 19650
To implement these best practices effectively, it is essential to leverage technology and industry standards such as ISO 19650. Here's how:
- Collaborative Agreements: Rather than relying on lengthy copy-paste documents, use targeted agreements and break down the unstructured data into manageable sections. Make these document sections available as soon as they are ready, and seek feedback from collaborators to ensure alignment and understanding.
- ISO 19650 Implementation: Implement ISO 19650 principles in a simplified manner using tools like Plannerly. These tools provide templates and a framework that helps align with the standard and simplify the adoption process. They also offer support in multiple languages, such as Arabic, making it accessible to a broader community.
By following these best practices and leveraging the right tools and strategies, BIM managers can create BIM Execution Plans that are not only visually appealing but also effectively implemented by project teams. Clear communication, well-defined responsibilities, and streamlined processes ensure that the project objectives are met, ultimately leading to successful project delivery.
