BIM Serial 005: BIM is a Management Decision

Draftsmen do not decide how the model they create is being used. Engineer does not decide if the model they create will be used downstream in the process. The decision to utilize a building model or models beyond document production is always a management decision. It involves rethinking of responsibilities and processes. The starting point is to realise the value that a building model can offer.

The added value of BIM

Traditionally, a 3D model is a tool to help produce construction documents, such as drawings, material lists and reports. However, BIM has potential to add value to the construction process beyond being a tool for producing documents. It is a management decision to start making use of this potential.

I divide the potential of BIM into three areas:

• Accurate, quality design early in the process
o Building can be made “more complete” from the design point of view
o Designs of different disciplines can be completed in a shared 3D environment
o Constructability issues can be found and solved on the computer before moving on to actual construction
• More efficient communication
o Communication in a 3D environment is more efficient than by using 2D drawings
o Modifications are easier to communicate and understand in an illustrative 3D environment
o Communication can be wider, more frequent, and more insightful, which leads to a more integrated and more efficient process with less errors
• The BIM as an information carrier
o Fragmented construction process is losing a lot of usable and important information on the way
o BIM keeps information up-to-date and easily accessible
o Information is accumulated during the process
o Information is easily shared
o Process participants have better and more complete information available, which leads to better and easier decision making
Wouldn’t you want to have better design, better communication, a more efficient construction process, and be able to make decisions based on better information?

Still not convinced?

Here are a few statements from the people who have implemented BIM in their projects:
“The initial budgeted amount of bar was 459, compared to the actual tonnage of 358 tons (a 22% reduction in raw material needed) shipped to site. Further, with such predictable coordinated fabrication, the project realized a waste reduction of rebar to less than one-tenth of one percent for the project.”

When combining the net effect of the initial buyout cost savings with the 22% material savings, Weitz generated a total project savings of over $113,000 for rebar on the Central Park Tower. The total reduction in fabrication and detail costs from this unit price procurement structure amounted to a total of 8.2% savings. “We saved about 105 calendar days on the structure,” said Gregory P. Luth.
“Weitz was able to create total model-based CIP detail/fabricate/erect process savings of $201,855 – $265,855. This was in addition to the (2) week reduction in construction schedule.”

A complete white paper titled “Interrupting the Supply Chain” is available at www.tekla.com

It’s a management decision
One of the key tasks for the management is to always look for ways to improve. Well look no further. Join the BIM wagon now for the benefit of your company.

Ari Nassi@Tekla