The advantages of BIM in construction projects can include tracking every aspect from concept to completion. You can use BIM to plan the work, track progress, and spot potential problems. In short, BIM can help avoid costly mistakes and deliver projects on time and within budget!
In this article, I will share my top six tips for managing BIM more effectively on your construction projects ????
Basics First: What Contractors Need to Know About BIM
If you’re a contractor, you’ll know that construction projects can be complex. There are so many moving parts, and it can be hard to keep track of everything. But what if I told you that there was a tool that could help you manage your project better? That tool is called Building Information Modelling (BIM) and BIM in construction will help you build your project better and faster!
Before you start employing BIM on your projects, it’s critical to grasp the fundamentals. You must understand the basic components of BIM, why you need it, and how it works in order to utilize it effectively.
Consider reading one or more of these to help you get started with developing a BIM implementation strategy (links will open in a new window):
- WHAT IS BIM?
- WHAT IS A BIM PROJECT?
- ADVANTAGES OF BIM PLATFORMS
- TOP 10 BEST BIM SOFTWARE
- WHAT IS OPENBIM?
- BIM MANAGEMENT CASE STUDY
As you start to implement BIM on your projects make sure you take into account my six tips below – let’s dig in!
1) Set BIM Management Goals and Objectives
The first step for the use of BIM in the construction industry is to set clear goals and objectives.
What do you want to achieve with BIM?
These goals should focus on improving your efficiency and effectiveness as a contractor. They should also address the needs of your clients.
Do you want to improve project coordination? Reduce costs? Increase efficiency?
Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Some examples of SMART BIM management goals could be:
- To use BIM to reduce the project costs by 5%
- To use BIM to improve the accuracy of construction schedules by 10%
- To use BIM to improve communication between project stakeholders
- To use BIM to reduce project clash/coordination issues by 15%
Once you know what your goals are, you can develop a plan to achieve them.
2) Start with a good BIM Plan
The first step to managing BIM effectively is having a good plan.
Your BIM plan should set out your project’s goals and objectives and how you will achieve them.
It should also detail the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in the project, so everyone knows what their part is.
Make sure you review and update your BIM plan regularly to stay up to date as your project progresses (using a tool like Plannerly is excellent for this!).
3) Use the right BIM software
There are a lot of different software programs out there that can be used for BIM. So how do you know which one is right for your project?
The answer is that it depends on your specific needs.
There are programs that focus on different aspects of BIM, so you need to choose one that will meet your particular requirements.
To help you make the right decision, you should consider what type of project you’re working on, the size and complexity of the project, and your budget.
You should also check my list of the 10 best BIM software programs to help you decide! ????
4) Build a solid BIM Team
BIM is a team effort, so you must have a solid team in place to support your BIM implementation.
Your team should include people with the right skills and knowledge to use BIM effectively.
It should also include people committed to making BIM work on your project – watch out, some people will be neigh-sayers!
Your team’s size will depend on your project’s size and complexity.
But as a general rule, you should have at least one BIM manager, one BIM coordinator, and one BIM modeler.
You might also consider bringing in a BIM consultant to help you get started.
A strong team will ensure everyone has access to the right tools and information.
It will also ensure that everyone understands what each other is doing.
This means that you need to build a team with people who understand the importance of BIM and who are willing to work together to achieve success.
5) Communicate, communicate, communicate!
To make sure that everything goes smoothly with your project, it is crucial to have good communication.
This is especially important when using BIM technology, which requires a lot of information to be shared between different people.
One of the critical steps is to make sure you have a system for managing BIM files/documents.
This system should help you easily share information between different project stakeholders.
It should also be simple to use so that everyone can access the information they need when they need it.
This will help prevent any problems with document management, which can be a big issue for many contractors today.
6) BIM Management is an ongoing process
BIM management is not a one-time event – it’s an ongoing process that you must keep up with as your project progresses.
As your project changes, so too will your BIM requirements.
This means that you need to review and update your BIM plan regularly.
You should also regularly check in with your team to make sure that everyone is on track and that everyone understands what they need to do.
Evaluate the benefits from BIM and share the successes with the team – this will help keep everyone motivated!
The Use Of BIM in Construction
Applying BIM on construction projects requires the implementation of new BIM management processes and can seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it!
By following my tips, you can help ensure that your project runs smoothly and that you get the most out of BIM ????
Oh, and you should obviously use Plannerly to make your BIM management easier! ????
What other tips do you have for Contractors who want to use BIM?
I Get Asked A Lot About Using BIM In Construction – here are some of my responses:
What does BIM (Building Information Modeling) mean in construction?
BIM, or Building Information Modeling, is a process that Contractors can use to manage construction projects more accurately when compared to traditional 2D drawings. Contractors can use BIM to plan construction projects, track progress, and predict potential problems before they happen. BIM allows Contractors to create a 3D digital model of the project that includes all of the necessary information about the project, like the dimensions of the building, material specifications, quantities, and even the costs involved in construction.
What are the benefits of using BIM?
There are many benefits of using BIM. Contractors can use BIM to save time and money on construction projects. BIM can also help Contractors avoid errors and improve communication between different project stakeholders. Additionally, BIM can help Contractors create a more sustainable construction project.
How important is BIM for Contractors?
Recently, BIM has become extremely important for Contractors. BIM has many benefits and can significantly save time and money on construction projects. Additionally, BIM can help Contractors avoid errors and improve communication between different project stakeholders. Contractors who use BIM can create a more efficient construction process and a more sustainable construction project.
How is BIM used in construction?
BIM is used in construction to manage the build process more effectively and efficiently. It allows for a better understanding of the construction project as a whole and helps to improve communication between all parties involved. It can also help to reduce costs and improve quality control.
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