How BIM Implementation Benefits Your Business

At Modelical we have helped numerous clients including architectural firms, engineering firms, construction companies and owners to implement BIM. From this experience, we have found that the benefits resulting from a BIM implementation go beyond BIM and trigger multiple improvements in other areas of the organisation.

In this article we focus on exploring some of these significant improvements, which we have grouped into technical improvements, team improvements and project management improvements. 

For us, technical improvements are those that enable us to manage and take advantage of the data we generate daily in a better way. Let’s not forget that data is the oil of our time, and it is not enough to have it, we must be able to exploit it correctly so that it provides benefits.

Information management

 

When implementing BIM, a Common Data Environment (CDE) must be implemented. A CDE is a platform that enables collaboration and information exchange between all participants in a project. CDEs enable secure centralization of information with version and permission control.

When setting up a CDE, we define a file organisation system, including its folder structure, which will gather the information of our projects. 

In addition, the CDE will not only store BIM files (3D models), it can also store other formats such as memories, technical specifications, calculation files, measurements, budgets, etc. In this way, a BIM implementation gives us the opportunity to (re)think how we organise information as a company providing a solid basis for efficient documentation management, whether it is BIM or not. 

In one implementation project we had the opportunity to see how an architectural firm took advantage of the configuration of their new CDE to submit their proposals to international tenders in a digital, professional and organised way, and finally access new projects. 

 

Naming Convention

 

The fundamental purpose of BIM is to establish and maintain an organised and structured system of information and processes. Therefore, a BIM implementation leads us to establish naming standards for the various elements of our project management, such as files, elements, parameters and data, among others.

When the names of all these entities are standardised, they follow a common set of rules, conventions or predefined formats that ensure consistency and uniformity. Properly naming the objects of our management is essential to place them within a broader context and foster a clearer understanding of their interrelationships.

This task requires effort and consensus and is often discarded if the benefits of its execution are not clearly perceived. A BIM implementation drives this task because it is known how the BIM methodology benefits from it: naming standards enable and increase the possibilities of operating on the data. For example, in a retail business, having the furniture codified allows, in addition to making better projects, to connect these with other activities such as inventory and warehouse management, purchasing, logistics, among others.

 

 

Delivery Plan

 

One of the BIM resources indicated by ISO 19650 (ISO 19650 is an international set of recommendations that establishes the principles and requirements for the management of information in the built environment) is the Master Information Delivery Plan (MIDP). The definition of a MIDP implies a detailed analysis of the organisation, the structure of a delivery and the revision times, as well as the distribution and responsibilities. What is remarkable is that it does not matter that among the list of deliverables there is not a single BIM model.

 

We have witnessed companies that have substantially improved their project management after developing a Delivery Plan. Without this practice, their projects were chaotic and unquantifiable; once they defined their deliverables and assigned the appropriate resources and dedications, they can operate more precisely and improve cost control.

These kind of improvements help organisations to improve communication, strengthen teams and stay competitive in an ever-changing marketplace. 

Improved interdepartmental collaboration

BIM is a methodology based on collaborative work. BIM technology and methodologies make this collaboration possible through tools that enable shared visualisation, simultaneous document edition and integrated issues management. These tools not only enable collaboration, but they actively promote it by considering project information as a common asset. 

Implementing BIM fosters a collaborative environment that improves communication and strengthens relationships between teams within the same company that might traditionally operate more independently.

At Modelical, we have offices in Madrid, Barcelona and San Diego, in addition to other locations. When putting together a project team, we consider factors such as skills, experience and availability, but location is not a priority (unless the client requires it). Cloud technology allows us to work efficiently whether we are 300 miles away, 14 hours away or working remotely. In addition, we are proud to see that the collaborative methodology not only improves the technical aspects, but also the human ones. The projects bring us together and, when we get together in face-to-face meetings, we are amazed at the camaraderie that we have developed between colleagues from so many different places.

 

Skills development and training

The adoption of BIM represents a significant change in the way projects are carried out. It involves not only the use of new tools and software, but also an understanding of new processes and collaborative working methodologies.

To ensure a successful transition to BIM, organisations need to invest in training and professional development programmes to provide their employees with the new skills and knowledge needed.

We have seen how some companies, whose teams were stuck in very traditional practices and were reluctant to share knowledge, have experienced a transformation with the implementation of BIM and the acquisition of new skills. They have adopted collaborative dynamics to solve doubts and problems, using training platforms and other digital means. Fortunately, this return to training has awakened an appetite for learning and banished the fear of asking questions, establishing a culture of open and transparent collaboration.

 

Boosting technological innovation

While a BIM implementation represents a significant advance in terms of technological innovation in the built environment design, construction, operation and maintenance sector, it is important to recognise that innovation does not stop there.

Technological innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR) and digital manufacturing can offer new opportunities to improve efficiency, quality and sustainability in the industry. 

The impulse provided by a BIM implementation encourages organisations to stay at the forefront of technology and better adapt to the evolving market, enabling them to offer more advanced and differentiated services to their clients.

One example of this impulse was seen in a construction company that, after implementing BIM and parametric design to tackle a complex project, incorporated digital fabrication in its next project. This integration of advanced technologies not only improved efficiency and accuracy, but also allowed for better resource management and greater sustainability in the project. The case of this construction company illustrates how the initial adoption of BIM can be a catalyst for the integration of other innovative technologies, promoting a continuous cycle of technological improvement and adaptation in the construction industry.

Technical and team improvements drive more efficient organisational management of projects, which translates into quality results for our clients, increasing their satisfaction and strengthening business relationships.

Efficiency in the management of resources associated with projects.

 

The practice of BIM methodology implies a significant improvement in project management as it is based on the production and use of accurate and structured data. 

In addition, when BIM is implemented, a process of data organisation and systematisation that goes beyond the technical aspects of the project itself is usually initiated, also encompassing the management of resources and time used in production. So it not only transforms the way we design and build, but also optimises the overall management of projects. 

Some organisations we have helped to implement BIM have identified the need for a more comprehensive solution to effectively manage all their business processes. By implementing an ERP, they achieved greater coordination and control in areas such as project planning, human resource management, cost control and procurement, allowing them to further optimise their operations and maximise the profitability of their projects. 

 

 

 

Conveying quality and professionalism to clients

 

The implementation of BIM allows companies to convey an image of quality and professionalism to their clients. 

With BIM and all the associated improvements mentioned above, organisations can present their projects in a clearer and more visual way, making it easier for clients to understand the design, structure and progress of the work. This ability to demonstrate a high level of accuracy and planning not only builds confidence, but also highlights the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation. 

 

A clear example of this improvement is the case of architectural and engineering firms that, after implementing BIM, have been able to access large national or international projects promoted by large clients who demanded digital project management. The key to their success lay in the flawless transmission of information, efficient project planning and execution, which strengthened their reputation, fostered long-term relationships and opened the door to new professional challenges.

In summary, a BIM implementation goes beyond its inherent technical benefits. We have explored how this methodology not only optimises project management and business organisation, but also drives further improvements in operational efficiency, interdepartmental collaboration, staff skills development and technological innovation.