For the designer, BIM provides more than just a technological change in the way they work; it’s a complete refit of the entire design process. We explore what making the switch to BIM really means.
The practicalities
Before embarking on a BIM implementation process, it is necessary to undertake a root and branch skills and capabilities audit to ensure your organisation has the kind of skills and roles in place to take advantage.
BIM Coordinator
PAS1192 
introduces the BIM Manager/Coordinator role. This role is as much about process and change management as it is about overseeing BIM deliverables. Key elements of the BIM Coordinator role include:
- A wider range of responsibilities than the Information Manager
- More closely associated with design (design lead)
- Responsible for BIM project set up: setting workflow goals and managing requirements
- Coordinating and maintaining the models: the process, the type of models, why they are created, how they fit together, ensuring models are interoperable and up to date
- Oversees clash detection ,quality audits, quantity takeoffs, and data conversion
A BIM Coordinator can serve as an Information Manager; however, an Information Manager is not a BIM Coordinator.
Employer Information Requirements (EIR)
The EIR provide advisory content and are part of the appointment and lender documents on any BIM project and define which models need to be produced at each project stage. They cover three areas: 1) technical – e.g., software, data exchange formats, level of detail, training; 2) management – standards, security, roles and responsibilities, collaboration, health & safety, and construction design processes, coordination and clash detection, delivery strategy, etc.; and, 3) commercial – e.g., data drop timing deliverables competence assessment.
Plain Language Questions clarify roles and responsibilities.
Certification
While whether certification actually means anything is a controversial topic, there are a few schemes in place that can help with ensuring compliance with BIM Level 2. This includes BRE Global’s BIM Level 2 Certificated Practitioner Scheme, RICS BIM Manager Certification, and NBS BIM Object Standard, which establishes the minimum requirements for BIM objects.
Source: Making the switch to BIM | NBS
