Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a process for digitizing, creating and managing data during design, construction and operations. BIM provides organizations within the construction industry a systematic foundation for digital transformation, integrating structured data to generate digital representations of assets throughout a project’s lifecycle.
Connecting Data, Teams and Workflows Across the Entire Project Lifecycle
BIM systems allow for real-time collaboration by implementing multi-disciplinary data managed in a cloud-based platform to represent both physical and virtual traits of a project. The BIM process enhances efficiency, improves safety protocols, and reduces costs throughout each phase of the project.
Improve Onsite Collaboration, Communication and Safety
BIM systems provide teams the ability to streamline facility management, improve building handover, share project models, pinpoint safety hazards, and more. With BIM, the creation of prefabricated models can help predict costs, promote remote working, and off-site collaboration with multiple contractors or architects.
Model-Based Cost Estimation
BIM provides estimated costs for projects before any form of construction begins. By visualizing the products using BIM software and tools– typically related to materials, shipping, labor and more– contractors can predict costs and even reduce them by producing solutions ahead of time.
Plan the Entire Project Lifecycle in Preconstruction
The project lifecycle in preconstruction takes place in four phases:
Plan
Project planning is informed by merging reality capture and real-world data in order to create models of the construction and natural environment
Design
Preconstruction starts and BIM data is used for scheduling, logistics and creating conceptual designs, analysis, detailing and documentation
Build
This phase includes fabrication using BIM specifications and sharing of logistics with contractors to ensure peak efficiency
Operate
The data acquired through BIM is implemented into the operations and maintenance of completed assets
Reduce Rework Through Clash Detection
BIM reduces rework through clash detection, which is the system’s ability to identify interference with two or more parts of a building, such as walls, plumbing, and more.
This feature identifies and predicts costly architectural issues prior to the construction phase of the project, which saves costs stemming from the need to acquire extra materials and additional contractor labor hours.
Increase Efficiency with Prefabrication
Aside from its on-site benefits, BIM also has advantages for remote work. Off-site prefabrication for production models increases efficiency, as it does not require on-site presence in order to analyze and calculate architectural designs.
Lessen Project Cycle Time and Construction Schedule Setbacks
BIM lessens the project cycle time through prefabrication of materials and increased workflow, thus reducing cost of the operation. Moreover, unexpected construction schedule setbacks on-site can be prevented through BIM systems.
Better Control Over Technical Decisions Surrounding Design Execution
Since contractors and architects can visualize structure through BIM software, the control over technical decisions regarding design execution is more thorough. BIM provides fabricated models to show what the final construction will look like, while simultaneously supplying visualizations, like natural and artificial light.
There are five specific types of viewable and customizable dimensions:
3D: Height, width, length, depth- 4D: Estimated time to finish a design element
- 5D: Cost of construction for an element
- 6D: Environmental impact
- 7D: Cost of facility management during the structure’s lifecycle
Adopting and Implementing Building Information Systems
BIM can be adopted and integrated with the help of an expert. Typically, BIM implementation is tied to business transformation and chaos management––both of which require executive level support.
Clearly Defined Roles and Responsibilities
BIM systems enable companies to create more visibility and encourage collaboration, and to generate clearly defined roles and responsibilities on a project. By storing all data in one shared location to overcome silos, architects, contractors and other project members can identify their roles in eliminating issues or finding solutions.
Key Deliverables and Project Milestones
Implementing BIM allows contractors to easily define milestones through assessing and validating change. BIM systems capture data within the project’s lifecycle, thus displaying an accurate status of relevant milestones along the way.
Task Information Delivery and Project Execution Plans
Tasks and information delivery are transformed by BIM to become more efficient and intelligent– two traits that serve as advantages to project execution by reducing costs and time expenditure.
Practical Working Procedures
BIM practical procedures have four steps:
Modeling
Creation of 3D models
Workflow
All data related to the project is located for means of collaboration in a shared space
Construction
Contractors begin constructing the building once confident with the workflow
Handover
Giving the BIM model to the client or facilities management company
Speak with Hartman to Learn More About the Value of Building Information Systems
There are many benefits to implementing BIM, including reducing costs, creating efficiencies, promoting safety and fostering off-site collaboration. If you’re curious if it’s right for your business, contact Hartman to learn more or schedule an appointment.
The IT leaders at Hartman Executive Advisors regularly assist construction companies with the integration of smart technology into their business. Because we don’t sell or resell any technology, we are able to help companies think objectively about how to use technology to drive their business.