A BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is a guide for how Building Information Modeling (BIM) will be used on a construction project. It’s a detailed document that explains the specific goals, responsibilities, and processes related to BIM for that particular project.
Essentially, the BEP sets out the rules for how a project team will use the BIM model. It defines important details like the level of detail needed in the models, the software to be used, and how teams will share information.
This clarity helps prevent misunderstandings, improves coordination, and helps everyone use BIM effectively for things like better planning and cost savings.
It makes sure that the power of BIM goes beyond just having a 3D model and is used as a tool for informed decision-making.
Understanding how to create and use a BEP is key to successfully implementing BIM on any project.
So, in this article, we’ll break down the different parts of a BEP and examine how to develop one that is practical and beneficial for your specific project, which in turn can propel your professional growth.
Intrigued to learn more about using this valuable tool? Let’s continue reading.
Table of Contents
ToggleWhat is a BIM Execution Plan?
We’ve touched on it already, but let’s really nail down what a BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is.
It serves as a detailed protocol, outlining how BIM will be utilized across various phases of a construction project.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, a BEP is tailored to the unique requirements and objectives of each individual project.
Specifically, it articulates the standards, processes, and information exchange protocols for the BIM workflow. Think of it as a formal agreement, delineating the digital collaboration and data management strategies among project stakeholders.
The BEP explicitly defines the “how” of BIM utilisation, specifying the practical application of BIM to achieve project-specific goals, encompassing elements like model authoring standards, data transfer methods, and communication protocols.
It makes sure that the BIM model is not just a digital representation but a data-rich asset used for informed decision-making and efficient project execution.
Why is a BIM Execution Plan Important?
A BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is fundamentally important because it establishes a controlled and predictable environment for BIM implementation on a project.
Without it, projects face the risk of inconsistent data, duplicated efforts, and communication breakdowns, all of which lead to increased costs and delays.
More on Interscale Education Blog: What is LOD in BIM? Definitions, Levels, and Tools Explained
The BEP defines a shared understanding of how BIM will be used, which reduces the potential for risks associated with varied workflows among different teams. Specifically, a BEP is vital for:
- Data Interoperability: It establishes that data created in different BIM software can be easily exchanged and used across project teams.
- Workflow Efficiency: It standardises processes, making information exchange quicker and more direct, cutting down on wasted time and effort.
- Risk Reduction: It allows for early identification and mitigation of potential coordination conflicts and design errors.
- Project Control: It defines the BIM deliverables and requirements, which provides a method to track progress and performance.
In essence, the BEP is important because it transforms BIM from a potentially disorganised collection of data into a structured and reliable project asset, necessary for effective project delivery.
What Should Be Included in a BIM Execution Plan?
A comprehensive BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is structured around several essential components. These components define the scope and processes for using BIM on a specific project. They provide a framework for consistent and coordinated BIM implementation. Let’s examine the key sections that are typically included in a BEP:
- Project Information: This section records the core details of the project, including its name, location, the client involved, and the key personnel responsible. This provides a clear reference point for all other aspects of the plan.
- BIM Goals and Uses: This part clarifies the intended applications of BIM on this specific project. It lists the intended purposes, like clash detection or design reviews, and the specific project objectives for adopting BIM.
- Roles and Responsibilities: This section assigns clear duties for each role involved in the BIM process. It identifies the responsibilities of all team members, from the BIM manager to modellers, avoiding confusion or overlap.
- Modelling Standards: This section establishes the rules for creating the BIM model. It sets guidelines for the level of detail, file naming, and acceptable content standards, promoting model consistency.
- Collaboration Processes: This section outlines how the various teams will share information using BIM. It covers file exchange procedures, meeting protocols, and the platforms used for team communication, supporting coordinated efforts.
- Data Management: This section outlines the methods for handling all BIM-related data. It details how models are stored, backed up, and accessed, providing a structure for organisation and security during the project.
How Do You Create a BIM Execution Plan?
Creating a BEP might seem like a big task, but it’s totally doable when you approach it step-by-step.
This is a general guideline to get you started, but keep in mind that every project is a little different, so you might need to adjust things along the way.
First, it’s important to gather your team.
Get everyone involved in the project together, including the architects, engineers, contractors, and the project owner. You’ll need input from all of them to make a plan that works for everyone.
Start by figuring out what you want to achieve with BIM on this project. What are the main things you want BIM to help you with? Make sure these goals are clear and easy to understand.
Next, break down how you’ll use BIM to meet those goals.
For example, if your goal is better coordination, you might use BIM for clash detection. List out each specific way you plan to use BIM. Now that you’ve got your goals and uses figured out, you can start drafting the BEP.
Then, include those goals and uses, along with the general project details you discussed at the beginning. This is where you set modelling standards and define how you’ll build your BIM model. Decide on the level of detail, file naming conventions, and quality of the model content you’ll need.
After that, think about how teams will work together. Define how files will be shared, how meetings will be run, and what software you’ll use to communicate and manage the project.
Last but not least, make sure your BEP is easy to read and understand. Avoid complicated jargon and stick to language everyone can follow. Be specific and to the point.
Keep in mind, this is really just a starting point. Real projects often throw curveballs, and you might need to tweak your approach when making your BEP. What’s most important is being clear, working well with your team, and staying flexible if things need to change.
What Are the Benefits of a BIM Execution Plan?
A well-crafted BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is more than just a document; it’s a roadmap for project success, setting the stage for smoother, more efficient workflows and better outcomes. It’s a practical tool that helps teams stay organised, communicate effectively, and tackle potential issues proactively. When a project uses a solid BEP, it’s more than likely to benefit in various ways.
Let’s take a look at some of the key advantages you can expect to see:
- Reduced Errors and Rework: By identifying potential issues early in the design process, a BEP significantly reduces the likelihood of errors in the model, saving time and money by minimizing the need for rework.
- Improved Team Collaboration and Communication: A BEP clearly defines roles and responsibilities, as well as communication protocols, which allows teams to work together more smoothly and avoid miscommunications.
- Better Time and Cost Management: A BEP streamlines project workflows, which leads to improved schedules, reduced time wasted on errors, and greater control over project finances through more efficient planning.
- Proactive Problem Solving and Risk Reduction: A BEP enables teams to foresee and handle potential problems proactively, reducing risks and preventing significant issues that could derail the project.
- Better Project Outcomes and Professional Growth: A well-implemented BEP supports better project results in general, while also offering opportunities for professional growth in the AEC industry by mastering BIM and its related technologies.
The point is, BIM Execution Plans are not just checking boxes but a way to drive success and innovation in the construction industry.
It provides a structure that supports better project management, improved communication, and cost savings. It also gives those who know it a professional advantage, showing that you know what it takes to deliver a project well and use technology to achieve that.
What Tools Are Used for BIM Execution Plans?
While the BEP is a document, it often ties into the use of specific software to actually manage and implement BIM workflows.
Here are a few commonly used software for BIM Execution Plans:
Autodesk BIM 360
BIM 360 is a cloud-based platform that allows project teams to collaborate on BIM projects from a central location. It offers tools for document management, design collaboration, and project coordination. It’s ideal for teams needing access to project data from anywhere.
How BIM 360 helps with a BEP:
- It has a centralised cloud repository feature for hosting the BEP document as a PDF or other digital file.
- It has communication tools, like markup and issue tracking, that facilitate team discussions and feedback on the BEP’s content and implementation.
- It has project management features, such as task assignment and progress dashboards, enable the tracking of milestones related to BIM implementation, as outlined in the BEP.
- It enables role-based access to project data, as defined in the BEP, ensuring appropriate team members have access to the right information.
Revit
Revit is a BIM authoring software that allows AEC professionals to create 3D models. It’s used for design, documentation, and analysis. This software is crucial for building the actual BIM model that the BEP supports.
How Revit helps with a BEP:
- It allows for the creation of BIM models using specific project templates and families, enforcing the modelling standards defined in the BEP.
- It enables the implementation of the BEP’s defined Level of Development (LOD), file naming conventions, and attribute data for model components.
- It facilitates specific BIM uses from the BEP, like generating quantity takeoffs, creating construction documents, and conducting design analysis, directly from the model.
More on Interscale Education Blog: How to Learn BIM Software: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started
Navisworks
Navisworks is a project review software. It’s used to combine models from different sources, run clash detection, and perform 4D scheduling analysis. These features are essential for ensuring BIM models are accurate and coordinated.
How Navisworks helps with a BEP:
- It allows for the aggregation of models from various BIM platforms into a single environment for model coordination and clash detection, as specified in the BEP.
- It provides tools to perform model quality checks, verifying compliance with the modelling standards detailed in the BEP.
- It supports the simulation of construction sequences through 4D scheduling features, aligning project progress with the goals set out in the BEP.
Learn BIM Software for Effective BEP Implementation
A solid understanding of BIM Execution Plans is important, but knowing how to use the software to implement the BEP is just as important. Proficiency in software like Revit, Navisworks, and BIM 360 are key to successfully applying the principles of a BEP on a real project.
But where can you gain the practical skills to use these essential BIM tools effectively within a BEP framework?
Interscale Education offers specialised online courses designed to equip AEC professionals like you with the hands-on software skills needed to excel in BIM and effectively implement BEPs. Here’s how Interscale Education can help you master BIM software for BEP implementation:
- Extensive Course Library: Access a wide range of over 100 certified courses in BIM software like BIM 360, Revit, and Navisworks.
- Practical, Real-World Lessons: Learn through video lessons that demonstrate practical applications of AutoCAD tools in actual AEC projects.
- Expert Instructors: Benefit from experienced instructors with a wealth of knowledge, bringing over 60 years of combined experience in both IT and construction to their teaching.
- Flexible Learning Options: Watch over 60,000 minutes of on-demand video content whenever it suits you, and learn at your own pace.
- Industry-Recognised Certification: Earn certifications that are recognised within the industry, backed by our status as an Autodesk Gold Partner.
Interscale Education’s certified BIM software courses provide the practical technical skills you need to implement BEPs effectively, improve your overall project workflows, and enhance your ability to collaborate effectively within the BIM environment. Gain technical skills with Interscale Education’s certified BIM online course—sign up today!