Watch the video above to follow along with this practical workflow. The written guide below covers the key concepts and steps for quick reference.
Speed Up Your BIM Project Setup with Document Templates
Building a complete project document set from scratch is frustrating. You start with a blank page, and suddenly you’re creating an exchange information requirements (EIR), a BIM execution plan (BEP), and all the supporting structure you need – each one taking longer than it should. Many teams lose days or weeks just getting the foundational documents in place before they can actually start managing project information.
Templates solve this problem. Instead of starting from nothing, you can create a new Plannerly project, select a template library that matches your project type or organizational standards, and add entire documents – or individual sections – in just a few clicks. This approach is aligned with ISO 19650 workflows, which emphasize structured, repeatable information management from day one.
The video above shows you exactly how to do this. What makes this workflow powerful isn’t just speed – it’s consistency. Your team starts with professional, standards-based documents every time. Smart fields automatically populate project information (like names, dates, and team roles), so you don’t have to manually fill in details that Plannerly already knows. You can drag and drop additional sections into your document hierarchy, customizing the structure without ever starting from a blank page.
How to Set Up Your Project with Templates
- Create a new project – click the “New Project” button and enter your project title (the example uses “Skyline Residences”).
- Choose your modules – select which Plannerly modules you want to use (Docs, Scope, and Verify) or leave them all enabled for a complete setup.
- Open the template library – in the Docs module, you’ll see the Library panel on the left. Choose which template library to browse.
- Preview template content – hover over the information icon on each document to see what sections are included before you add it.
- Add complete documents – click the “Add” button to bring the entire document (like an EIR or BEP) into your project at once.
- Customize with drag-and-drop sections – open the library again and drag individual sections (like “Project Organization Chart”) directly into your document hierarchy wherever you need them.
- Let smart fields work for you – notice how project details automatically fill in certain fields once you’ve set up your project information.
What You’ll Learn
- How to launch a new BIM project – get your project structure right from the start with all three Plannerly modules enabled and ready to use.
- Template libraries and smart reuse – understand how to browse and select pre-built document templates that match ISO 19650 standards and your team’s workflow.
- Automatic field population with smart fields – see how smart fields pull in project data automatically, saving you hours of manual data entry.
- Flexible document structures – add entire documents or individual sections by dragging and dropping them into your hierarchy, building exactly what your project needs.
- Professional documents in minutes – create an EIR, BEP, and supporting document set in the time it would normally take to set up templates manually.
Common Questions
Can I add documents one section at a time, or do I have to add the whole template?
You can do both. Click “Add” to bring in the entire document at once, or open the library and drag individual sections into your hierarchy. This flexibility means you’re never locked into a template structure – you customize it exactly how you need it. See importing documents from templates for more options.
What are smart fields, and why do they matter for templates?
Smart fields are dynamic placeholders that automatically pull information from your project setup – your client name, project title, team member roles, and more. When you use a template with smart fields, these details fill in automatically instead of requiring manual entry. This keeps your documents consistent and accurate while saving tremendous time on repetitive work.
How does this approach support ISO 19650 compliance?
ISO 19650 requires structured, repeatable information management from project kickoff. Using templates aligned with these standards ensures your projects start compliant. You’re not reinventing the document structure on each project – you’re using proven, standards-based templates that enforce best practices from day one.
What’s the difference between the Docs, Scope, and Verify modules?
The Docs module handles document creation and management (EIRs, BEPs, project plans). The Scope module structures your information requirements and project agreements. The Verify module provides task tracking and quality assurance. Templates work across all three, so choosing all modules gives you a complete information management system.
Can I create my own templates, or do I have to use the built-in library?
The built-in library gives you a fast start with professional templates. You can also save your own projects as templates once you’ve built something your team wants to reuse. This means you can start with a standard template and evolve it over time as your processes improve.
Explore Further
- How to create a BIM execution plan in Plannerly – a detailed walkthrough of building the BEP that’s shown in this video.
- How to create or launch a new project – the first step of this workflow explained in depth.
- Exchange Information Requirements (EIR) lesson – understand what goes into an EIR and why it matters in your project setup.
- Free BIM and ISO 19650 training courses – continue your learning with full courses on project document management and information management best practices.