The Limsen BIM consulting team recently released an impressive case study detailing their experience using Plannerly to streamline BIM management.
BIM case studies like this allow professionals to compare different methods and implement strategies for enhancing the BIM process.
This team’s case study highlights the Plannerly platform as a highly efficient tool for BIM management and demonstrates how it enhanced their project outcome.
Through this knowledge-sharing and collaboration, the benefits of employing a BIM workflow can be fully realized by engineers, architects, contractors, owners, and all other stakeholders.
1) Introduction to this BIM project case study
BIM on this project was a massive undertaking from start to finish, with 310,000 square meters / 3.3 million square feet of land in 5 different plots, 50 companies involved, seven architecture and eight engineering companies collaborating, 45 BIM models created, 1 large point cloud acquired, and a whopping 243 project team members actively participating.
By utilizing some great BIM tools combined with the expertise of each of these parties to achieve the task at hand, this BIM Case Study stands as an example of how beneficial BIM can be in terms of efficiency and accuracy for large-scale projects.
2) BIM Software Tools Used
Throughout this project, we had the opportunity to use various BIM software tools.
Starting from Plannerly’s BIM management platform, then onto Autodesk’s BIM 360 for seamlessly collaborating in the cloud and Navisworks for coordination and integration of models, these sophisticated tools proved to be invaluable when generating a successful outcome.
Furthermore, Revit, Recap Pro, and Enscape allowed us to achieve stunning visualizations, which added an extra level of enjoyment. The advantages that arose when using each of these programs together were definitely evident in our case study and made the entire process much more gratifying.
3) Starting With A BIM Execution Plan
This project started with the team creating a BIM Execution Plan using Plannerly.
After using the initial information provided by the client as a starting point, all team members were added to the online BIM Execution Plan on Plannerly.
This ensured that everyone was on the same page and had access to the proper resources and instructions needed for the successful completion of the project.
The team was able to use the Plannerly platform efficiently to keep track of progress and coordinate tasks between all members throughout the duration of the project.
4) ISO 19650 File Naming
An important part of the BEP is ISO 19650 File Naming, which provides a uniform and consistent approach to working with BIM models and documents.
This ensures that files have unique identifiers, with specific groupings based on naming conventions, so users can easily find files as BIM projects become increasingly complex.
ISO 19650 File Naming offers a professional and standardized system to organize BIM project files across all participants.
Using the Plannerly platform provides teams with ISO 19650 templates and clear guidance on following the ISO 19650 file naming convention.
5) Defining a BIM Uses Matrix
BIM Uses are an extremely important part of a BIM Execution Plan (BEP).
BIM Uses help define the characteristics and requirements for BIM on the project, including quality, cost, time, and other resources.
The BEP serves as the definitive source between all parties involved in the BIM project, so it is imperative that a BIM Uses Matrix is clearly outlined and defined in order to ensure successful delivery.
Additionally, defining a BIM Use List helps minimize risk and prevent unexpected costs down the line by giving all project stakeholders a clear shared understanding from the outset.
The BIM Use Matrix can be quickly created in either Plannerly’s Plan or in a more detailed form in Plannerly’s Scope module.
6) BIM Modeling Guidelines & Standards
BIM Modeling Guidelines are essential to the Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflow in order to ensure that components and assets created can work together seamlessly.
BIM Modeling Guidelines must be documented in a BIM Execution Plan, helping project stakeholders understand how the BIM project will be defined and executed.
Modeling guidelines keep all parties engaged in the project on the same page, setting standards for data exchange between different team members to ensure the accuracy of data capture and help avoid disruptions that can delay projects and increase costs.
By having Modeling Guidelines, teams are able to streamline an otherwise challenging workflow process, making sure all necessary information is captured at every point in the building lifecycle.
7) Using an LOD Matrix/BIM Scope
In order to ensure that the BIM is effective and successful, it is important to create a clear BIM scope. One way to do this is to use an LOD matrix.
An LOD matrix outlines the Level of Detail (LOD), or the Level of Development (also LOD) required in each element in the BIM process.
Having such a detailed matrix helps keep all involved parties on the same page and can be included in the project’s BIM Execution Plan.
With this approach, issues are reduced, and the general success of the project rises.
8) Making BIM a Contractual Requirement
Without a BIM contract, BIM is likely to remain no more than a good discussion.
BIM is no longer just a nice talking point between the parties involved but must be formalized in the contract so that everyone is on the same page with the implementation of BIM technology and objectives.
BIM contract requirements should also be clearly defined; this will ensure that BIM initiatives reach their full potential, making sure that all parties involved have access to BIM models that are up to date, of high quality, and properly managed during design and construction processes.
With Plannerly, teams can quickly create comprehensive BIM contract documents to ensure all stakeholders are following the same direction and understanding of the BIM objectives.
All of Limsen projects use Plannerly to create their contracts.
9) Common Data Environment (CDE) + ISO 19650
The Common Data Environment (CDE) is another critical process/toolset for many BIM projects.
While it can be difficult to maintain compliance with all the detailed requirements of ISO 19650 at all times, the Limsen team is highly experienced in adapting and finding efficient solutions for each project.
Limsen understands the importance of the process and focuses on implementing the most valuable parts in a practical way for maximum project benefit.
This ensures a greater degree of certainty and control that leads to better overall outcomes.
10) Setting up Coordinates and Aligning BIM Models
Ensuring that all BIM models are correctly aligned is crucial in project execution.
This is why the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) must include the expected coordinates for modeling and strict rules governing how models should be accurately aligned with each other.
Limsen georeferenced 45 BIM models for coordination!
Unfortunately, the coordinate system changed mid-project. However, it was easily communicated to the whole team through the BIM Execution Plan inside Plannerly.
There are also free templates for this purpose inside Plannerly.
11) Federated Model
The core concept behind the federated model is that it enables different 3D models to be combined into one integrated information system, which can be shared with other related disciplines in order to maintain collaboration at all times.
This ensures seamless coordination between all stakeholders as well as accurate data exchange throughout the project lifecycle.
Additionally, it allows different groups to work on the same or differing versions of a building model concurrently, ensuring minimal time investment and maximally efficient outcomes.
Efficiently federated BIM contributes to cost savings and higher quality outcomes for the project – make sure that the rules are defined in your BIM Execution Plan!
12) BIM Coordination
BIM coordination is an essential project task.
By leveraging a strategic BIM coordination workflow, the teams were able to better identify issues and opportunities that might normally be overlooked.
Clash detection within the BIM coordination workflow helps prevent problems from occurring throughout various project phases by presenting 3D conflicts within a given clashes report.
This allowed teams to identify issues more effectively before any physical work began, in addition to adding greater accuracy to existing elements already constructed.
Accurate clash detection also gave the project teams greater confidence throughout the entire process, allowing design and construction processes to work together efficiently and effectively in order to deliver higher-quality outcomes.
13) BIM Model Checking
Plannerly’s BIM Model Checking solution reduces the manual burden traditionally associated with data checking in the construction industry.
It streamlines the process by enabling automated model verification, quality assurance, and health checks in near real time.
This helps to reduce costly rework and errors, as well as promote a better understanding of project health, allowing teams to make decisions based on accurate data early on.
Plannerly’s BIM Model Checking tools simplify quality assurance processes and assist construction teams with making more informed decisions during their projects.
14) BIM Cost Savings (with examples)
The cost savings report from the project revealed some impressive benefits!
After its implementation, BIM processes were able to reduce costs associated with errors in the construction costs of the building.
The project showed a saving of up to 4 million euros due to the cost benefits of using BIM.
With an ever-growing list of benefits that come with BIM, it is increasingly important for more owners, clients and developers to have an understanding and incorporate the use of BIM into their work process – so that they too can enjoy cost savings as well as provide customers with better service while they build beautiful, safe buildings.
15) Conclusions
Plannerly has revolutionized the process of creating BIM Execution Plans (BEPs) and project contracts.
In the past, this was a time-consuming and cumbersome process that took upwards of 80 to 120 hours.
Now, with Plannerly, teams set up their BEPs in a fraction of the time – only 20 to 30 hours (75% less time).
By drastically reducing the setup time, those who rely on BEPs can do more within their accepted project requirements, making their projects run smoother and more efficiently.
The reduced setup time enabled by Plannerly helps teams hit their goals with fewer headaches and obstacles along the way – ensuring satisfied customers and long-term success! ????
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