5 Steps to BIM Success! 

Today, most architecture, engineering, and construction stakeholders are looking for accurate deliverables and building efficient and smart buildings. To achieve all this, it becomes vital for AEC companies to adopt BIM (Building information modelling). Unlike what you might believe, BIM is not just a 3D representation of the project. It allows 3D problems and challenges to be resolved with 3D tools: all this in a digital environment. 

Thanks to powerful technologies like CAD programs, massive amounts of data & seamless communication tactics, BIM makes the design-build collaboration between all who are involved in the project – architects, engineers, building owners, and contractors. 

Irrespective of whether you want to move your business to BIM to fulfil requirements from clients or just streamline your own process, having the right BIM implementation can make a huge difference. 

This guide will help you implement BIM and start seeing ROI in every aspect of your projects. 

Step 1: Start from the ground floor

Before you start any project, it is important you carry out the pre-launch work. This will give you and your team the tools to successfully complete their project without any management-related roadblocks. Moving to a new software or process can be a huge change and it is natural that some employees may be reluctant to embrace them. However, considering the benefits of BIM  will justify it all. 

In addition to this, you will need to ensure that hardware and software are all up to date and support BIM. A few questions that you should ask yourself before initiating a project are:

a) Can your systems handle the amount of data required to run BIM software efficiently?

b) Are your computers equipped to take on the required (higher) processing speed?

Another thing that you should consider while establishing the ground for any BIM project is Storage. Having enough storage for your projects is necessary since BIM uses a large amount of data that needs space to store. 

Step 2: Assemble your team ( A second step to BIM Success)

The next step in the 5-step journey of establishing BIM success is to pick the right people for your team. Having the right, professional, and experienced team would help put the project in action efficiently. Here is what you should look for in your perfect team:

1. They should have enough experience in 3D design.
2. They should understand the traditional architectural design and construction process. 
3. They should know everything about data and modelling techniques. 
4. They should be willing to learn new software and systems.

Step 3: Launch a pilot

Once you have established the team, it is time to start on the pilot project. The pilot project allows you to learn and document how you use BIM, where can you track the results, and how you can make improvements. Before you pick up the pilot project, be sure to ask these questions: 

1. Are all stakeholders open-minded and ready to welcome a new way of doing things – BIM?
2. Is there any smaller-scale or low-risk project you can start with?

Step 4: Document progress 

While you are working on the Pilot project, commit to documenting the entire process with all the specifications for example: how you use BIM software during each step. This will provide you with the information that you need to create the best practices for all other team members. Here are some ideas:

1. Project information with all the key contacts such as the project manager, BIM manager, and discipline leads. 
2. How are you managing file exchanges and kick-off meetings for quality control? 
3. Cost-estimation for materials, phasing, and operations. 

Step 5: Get your team onboard

The next step is fully integrating your team with BIM. With all the information you have by now including best practices & updated workflow, you now have a useful foundation to build a smooth transition while allowing everyone to learn the new software & collaboration techniques. 

These are 5 foundational steps to BIM which every business who is looking for a transition to BIM should pay attention to. BIM software is a complete tool which comes with a lot of benefits. Right from increased efficiency to improved collaboration, there are many benefits of BIM. This is why most businesses are now switching to this technology and must check out the piece before making the switch. 

At Cosmeretech, we help businesses leverage the power of BIM for their business, encouraging them to adopt new technologies and innovations. If you wish to know more, all you have to do is contact us at teams@cosmeretech.com.