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 pitfalls
Any transition to new process, or even embarking on a speculative audit, can result in productivity dips impacting on business as usual, and there are a few things that you need to be aware of up front.
Hard and software are likely to be a key part of any BIM implementation budget. The collaborative nature of BIM working means that a multiplicity of licences and workstations may be needed according to individual need.
Education in new ways of working (both in terms of tools and process and the softer skills of team work) may be required but this can be expensive with payback deferred.
BIM is evolving and its terminology can be interchangeable depending on who you speak too – this can lead to misinterpretation and contradictions during a transitional phase. Similarly legal regulation around BIM based design is similarly in flux and playing catch up with the practicalities of new ways of working.
Determining how to attribute costs across all parties contributing to a BIM workflow can also be tricky. Who should bear the brunt – investor, designer or contractor?
In a BIM workflow, information gathering is front-loaded, potentially requiring a longer lead time. While some technical drawings can be prepared early, if these are not fully co-ordinated with the model you can mitigate the benefits and, indeed, run the same kind of risk as a more traditional CAD approach
Source: Making the switch to BIM | NBS
