#16 - Challanges to BIM

In each stage of design and construction, enhanced procedures will reduce the quantum and severity of issues related to traditional methods. However, intelligent utilization of BIM can bring significant changes in the relationship of project stakeholders and the legal agreements among them. Similarly, if an earlier collaboration was done between designers, their expertise can be of greater use in the design phase. If only the architect prepares the building model without taking inputs from any other stakeholders, the model may be insufficient and without any proper coordination. This may result in the requirement of a new, more intelligent building model. If all team members use different modeling tools, then other tools are required to communicate between these modeling tools which can create more complexity and errors.

• Challenges with Collaboration and Teaming: On one hand BIM provides great collaboration among team members and on the other hand it also introduces other problems with how to develop an effective team. Moreover, identifying methods to share information models is a major issue. If one stakeholder uses a conventional method then it is important for other members to prepare a building model so that it can be used for better coordination, planning, estimating, etc.

• Legal Challenges to Documentation Ownership and Production: Legal problems are major issues while using BIM. If the model is created with each team member’s expertise, so the question arises who will be responsible to prepare the model, who will be responsible for construction datasets, and who will own the construction design, fabrication, and analysis information. These are some major issues faced by BIM professionals in the whole world.

• Challenges in Practice and Use of Information: Integration of construction knowledge in the design stage can be done by the use of BIM. The use of BIM may provide greater benefits when contracting arrangements that require and facilitate good collaboration. While using BIM, the most important changes companies face are during the sharing building information model during construction as this model is used as the basis of all strategies. This type of alteration will require time and training.

• Implementation Issues: Replacing conventional methods with BIM technology is far greater than getting software training. Effective use of BIM requires enhancements that are to be made in every aspect of a company’s business. This requires an extensive understanding of BIM technology and related strategies and an implementation plan. Every firm needs specific enhancements based on their sectors in the AEC industry, but the general steps that need to be considered are similar and consist of the following:

1. Assign responsibilities to top-level management to develop a BIM adoption plan which will cover all aspects of the firm’s business.

2. Make an internal team of managers who are responsible for enforcing the plan, with cost, time, and performance.

3. Implement BIM technology on one or more small projects in parallel with conventional practice; this may help in finding deficits in the building objects, output methods, etc. Moreover, this will also allow firms to develop modeling standards and the level of detail needed for different uses. It will also increase the knowledge of leadership staff.

4. Use of initial outcomes to guide the adoption of BIM software and additional staff training.

5. Implement BIM on new projects and start working with outside members of the project team by means of collaboration. This allows early integration and knowledge sharing using the building model.

6. Continue the use of BIM in various aspects of the company and try to use it in contract documents with stakeholders.

7. Frequently update the BIM process to gain more benefits and address observed issues. Moreover, the Firm should set new milestones for performance, time, and cost.

Next article, BIM Tools

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