Implementing BIM in a company can change the way projects are managed, make it easier for people to work together, and make the best use of resources. A company must have a clear implementation strategy, train employees properly, and make sure the software is supported and maintained on a regular basis in order to successfully implement BIM. The process of adopting BIM technology can be sped up and its benefits maximised by setting clear communication channels and attainable goals.
Therefore, if you’re considering using BIM in your construction project but are unsure where to begin, you can read this article to find out more.
Before you start the implementation process, you need to know what BIM is all about. Building information modelling (BIM) is a digital representation of how a building looks and works. It’s more than just 2D drawings; it lets everyone involved in a project see, simulate, and think about different parts of it together.
Better accuracy, fewer mistakes, easier communication, better teamwork, and better decision-making are some of the benefits of BIM.
BIM is now an important part of all modern construction projects because it can combine data and make it easier for people from different fields to work together. To find out more, read our article, which goes into more detail about the benefits of BIM. Also, if you’re still not sure if you want to use BIM in your project, you can read our article that goes into a lot of detail about why companies start using BIM.
Let us now look at the main steps that are needed to implement BIM.
3 Main Steps to Implement BIM
When you decide to use BIM for your project, Tylko Advisors says there are at least three main steps. The first steps are to come up with a plan, adopt a BIM mindset, and start to grow through a pilot project. In order to help you understand the steps, we’ve broken them down into three main steps and five more strategies.
1. Set a Strategy, Assess Current Capabilities and Needs.
Before starting the BIM implementation process, it’s important to look at what your company can do now and what it needs. This means taking a look at the organisation’s current workflows, software tools, and skill sets. Being aware of the pros and cons will assist in creating a customised BIM implementation plan.
- Do a thorough evaluation of how project management is done now.
- Find the places where BIM can make the biggest differences.
- Check to see what skills and training the current staff needs.
This will make sure that implementing BIM is in line with the company’s goals and aims, so that it can bring the most benefits possible. Getting feedback from important people during the evaluation process can also help in getting support and buy-in for the upcoming changes.
2. Define BIM Implementation Goals and Objectives
Setting clear goals and objectives for BIM implementation is the next step after knowing what your company can do and what it needs. Setting goals that can be measured and are attainable will help guide the implementation process and make it easier to see how well it worked.
- Set clear goals for boosting teamwork, cutting down on mistakes, and making projects run more smoothly.
- Set up key performance indicators (KPIs) to track how well the BIM implementation is going.
- Align the goals of BIM with the overall goals of the business.
You might want to make a schedule for achieving these goals and check in on them often to make sure they are being carried out successfully. Also, include important people in the process of setting goals to make sure they fit with the overall business strategy.
3. Invest in training and education.
BIM implementation is not just about deploying new software; it’s also about upskilling your workforce to effectively use the technology. Invest in comprehensive training programmes to ensure that your team is well-versed in BIM tools and methodologies.
- Provide training sessions for project managers, architects, engineers, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Encourage continuous learning and skill development.
- Foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the organisation.
For a better understanding of BIM implementation, you might also want to hire outside consultants or experts to give you specialised training and advice.
What is Building Information Modelling (Image by Medium)
Strategy for BIM Implementation
Now that we have a good understanding of the issues and clear goals, it’s time to make a plan for putting BIM into action. Adding BIM to your company’s workflows will go smoothly and in a planned way if you have a clear strategy.
1. Establish a BIM Implementation Team
Assigning roles is an important part of implementing BIM successfully. Make a dedicated team with people who know a lot about IT, BIM, and project management. This team will be in charge of putting the plan into action and will help connect different departments.
- A BIM manager or coordinator should be hired to oversee the process.
- Put together a team with people from design, construction, and operations.
- Make sure that the implementation team has clear ways to talk to each other.
Hold regular meetings to keep an eye on progress, talk about problems, and make sure everyone is working towards the same project goals. Also, keep training and helping the team members improve their BIM technology skills and knowledge.
2. Choose the Right BIM Software
Choosing the right BIM software is one of the most important steps in the implementation process. Think about things like the size of your projects, how well they’ll work with other tools, and how long it will take your team to learn how to use them. Select software that fits the needs and goals of your business.
- Do some research and compare the different BIM software options that are out there.
- Take into account how it can be expanded and how it can work with other tools.
- Ask people in the same industry for advice and feedback.
Check out the software’s training and technical support to make sure your team has a smooth transition. You might also want to do pilot tests or trials of different BIM software before deciding on one to make sure it meets your needs.
3. Implement BIM in Pilot Projects
Do not use BIM on all projects at the same time; instead, begin with a pilot project. This gives your team a chance to learn by doing, find problems, and make any changes that are needed before the full implementation.
- You should choose a project that shows how your organisation usually works.
- Keep an eye on and rate how well BIM is working in the pilot project.
- Get feedback from the project team to find ways to make things better.
To find out how well BIM is being used, you might want to set clear goals and objectives for the pilot project. This will help you figure out if the software is right for you and if it’s worth the money for future projects.
4. Foster Collaboration and Communication.
It’s not enough to just use BIM as a tool; you need to be able to communicate well with your team members in order for the process to work well. Set up ways to help people work together better and make sure that information flows easily between fields.
- Set up clear ways for people to talk about BIM projects.
- To make working together easier, hold regular meetings and workshops.
- Use cloud-based collaboration tools to let people share data in real time.
You might also want to hold training sessions to make sure that everyone on the team knows how to use BIM tools and how to work together. Review and change the communication rules on a regular basis to deal with any problems that may come up during the project.
5. Monitor Progress and Iterate
Implementing BIM is an ongoing process that needs to be watched over and made better all the time. Check in on the progress often, ask for feedback, and be ready to change your strategy as the needs of your projects and team change.
- Set up regular reviews of how the BIM implementation is going.
- Ask end users for feedback, and then use what you’ve learned in future projects.
- Keep up with the latest changes in BIM technology, and make changes to your strategy as needed.
This will make sure that your team always has the best and most efficient tools available. Also, think about setting up a way for everyone involved in the BIM implementation process to regularly communicate and work together. This will help make sure that everyone is on the same page and that the project is a success.
Conclusion
Last but not least, a strategic mindset and a dedication to constant development are essential for a company’s successful BIM implementation. If your company follows the provided guidelines, it will be able to use BIM to its maximum potential, which will result in better collaboration, faster workflows, and successful project completion.
At this point, you might be considering incorporating BIM into your construction project. If this is the case, you should consider BIMscaler’s consulting and management services.
BIMscaler consulting and management services provide end-to-end BIM usage for your project, starting with BIM/model management, content management, project start-up, project meetings, and end-user support.
As a leading Australian provider of BIM services, BIM Scaler assures you of a professional and effective BIM implementation for your building project.Transform your business today with BIMscaler.
