Reactive vs Proactive Approach for 5D Models October 19 '09
While the use of Building Information Models is getting more and more popular, it seems that the full advantage of using the model-based approach for informed decision making when it comes to cost planning and scheduling has yet to be experienced. In my opinion, the reason for this is that many building models are created with a “hit-and-run” approach: Building Information Models are created for projects without considering what the desired output should be.
The models that are created this way can be great for visualization and maybe even for coordination. But, because there is no defined set of requirements before the modeling work takes off, may be useless for estimating and scheduling…
Why is that?
It all comes down to quantities. It’s the construction-caliber quantities that drive the estimate and the (integrated) estimate and schedule and when some of the quantities that are needed are not available, the “5D Mission” fails: only some of the quantities extracted from the model are useful. ...
Attitude and Perception: Key Factors in Successful BIM Transitioning September 29 '09
As Director of Technology at an Architecture and Planning firm, I was responsible for developing and maintaining office processes. Initially I was hired as a contractor to help complete one specific project in ArchiCAD. The firm deserves recognition for jumping in feet first! They did what most firms do… buy and go through the 3-day basic training package. They then considered themselves ready to tackle a billable project on their own; quite impressive.
I have seen several firms take the transition as far as training and then ultimately decide that they are not ready to do a project in BIM and so it collects dust in their programs folder. The purpose of this post is to call attention to the response that I noticed from the employees and how their attitudes affected the transition. As a result of walking into a transition mid-way through, losing the majority of the staff associated with the initial transition and then having to start all over with new staff, I have noticed a couple things that might ...
BIM is a Process September 22 '09
In the last couple years of the BIM transition, I have come across several interesting misconceptions among the general AEC population about the abilities and potential of the BIM process. One misconception in particular is that a software, one tool, is a full BIM solution. It is as though the AEC industry wants to ‘get rich quick’ and avoid the effort and thought behind developing their own process. In the last year several platforms have noticed a weak point in regards to the BIM process and have tried to prove that they have the solution. This one weak point is that of Lifecycle Management. Software vendors have begun to tout that their platform can manage the lifecycle of the building effectively, simplistically, and of course better than any other platform. Asset management and other aspects of facility management is easy! They call attention to their IFC and XML format capabilities and claim that therein lies the secret and that is all you need. What has been even more interesting is...
BIM Has Arrived September 1 '09
BIM has arrived? Hasn’t BIM been around for a long time?
It is true that BIM ‘authoring tools’ have been around a long time. In fact ArchiCAD has been in use world-wide for 26 years, Autodesk Revit for 10 years and Bentley’s solution has been with us a while too. I have been saying for years that BIM, in a word, means ‘Collaboration’. Historically, BIM collaboration has been based on a multitude of models and most projects have relied on several BIM models that are ‘federated’ or consolidated into one 3D environment using programs like Autodesk Navisworks or Solibri Model Checker…better than flat CAD and light tables, but still not efficient workflow.
In an open letter to the AEC vendor community, published in March 2004, the AIA Large Firm Roundtable CIO Group requested the following capabilities for “next generation” BIM technology: give project team members the capabilities of editing data simultaneously, facilitate the prevention of conflicting errors, and let changes to the project be available to u...
BIM Basics August 14 '09
I am still finding many people with little or no basic knowledge as to what BIM truly is… Transitioning to BIM is much more than 3D software; it is a process. Recently I came across a well-written basic overview on the evolution from hand drawing to CAD, and now, to BIM. Check it out here.
BIM
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