BIM for construction management and planning – Enhance collaboration, and achieve project excellence. Explore the future of efficiency.
BIM in Construction Management industry is the single best innovation that has led to better control over cost and time overruns and improved design management.
Project managers use BIM for Construction Management and Planning to prioritize multiple projects, organize site activities, and coordinate with project stakeholders. The construction industry is known as the least innovative industry.
However, the use of techniques and processes such as scan-to-design development and BIM-based construction management led the industry to innovate traditional design and management practices for achieving project goals.
This blog discusses how BIM in Construction Management and Planning is advantageous for construction professionals to achieve their project goals. The article also discusses how to implement BIM for construction management and planning.
Reasons to Adopt BIM for Construction Management and Planning
The biggest challenge for the construction industry is cost and time overrun. As per the studies, 70%-85% of construction megaprojects around the world experience cost and time overruns.
The main factors contributing to cost and time overruns include:
- Design errors.
- Design changes.
- Lack of coordination amongst project stakeholders.
- Lack of collaboration.
- On-site delays.
Now, let’s discuss how building information modeling (BIM) helps AEC professionals and project stakeholders overcome the challenges:
1. Avoiding Multiple Design Changes
Adopting BIM for construction management and planning includes adopting BIM practices right from the design stage.
Using BIM right from the conceptual stage allows project stakeholders to integrate the critical design elements details into the 3D Model.
The 2D CAD drawings can be directly extracted from the 3d Revit model. This allows project stakeholders to collaborate effectively and reduce the production/revision time of the engineering and architectural drawings.
2. Reducing Cost and Time Overruns on Site
Once the design is finalized, project managers integrate the project timeline into these 3D models to simulate the construction activities as per the Gantt chart; this is commonly known as 4D scheduling.
4D Scheduling is a powerful tool for construction managers to assess and plan site risks and activities, leading to reduced cost and time overruns on site.
3. Avoiding Delays via Advanced Collaboration
The project managers often face delays due to a lack of coordination and collaboration amongst the design stakeholders.
BIM promotes advanced cloud-based collaboration tools, i.e., BIM 360, that allow design stakeholders to upload their BIM models in IFC format. These IFC BIM models are accessible to all the project stakeholders added to the BIM 360 platform.
The stakeholders can review the critical design information, walk through the model, rotate, and leave their comments. This promotes high-level collaboration among project participants and helps them save significant Cost and Time for redesigning.
4. Eliminating the Risk of Design Errors
Design errors lead to major construction costs and time overruns. This occurs when the architectural design is not well coordinated with MEP and Structural design.
Construction managers often identify the clashes on site that lead to redesign, demolition, and re-construction of building elements. Using the clash detection feature in BIM for construction management and planning,
AEC professionals can identify these conflicts amongst the design elements, assign these risks to the respective design stakeholders, and eliminate these clashes before a project goes on site. This leads to significant cost and time savings for a construction project.
How to Implement BIM for Construction Management and Planning
The construction sector is well known for its propensity for budget overruns, scheduling conflicts, and poor communication.
BIM isn’t just 3D software; it’s a methodology that creates a single, intelligent model of a building, encompassing its physical and functional characteristics. This digital twin acts as a central hub for data, accessible to all stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
Let’s explore how to leverage BIM for smarter construction:
1. Define Your Goals and Objectives
Before diving in, establish clear objectives for BIM implementation. Aligning BIM with specific goals ensures its effective utilization. The goals generally revolve around the cost-quality-time triangle. Make sure which aspect matters the most for a particular project.
2. Assemble Your BIM Team
As BIM demands teamwork, put together a group with a range of specialties. A culture of sharing and understanding of data should be fostered by the involvement of architects, engineers, contractors, and facility managers.
3. Develop a BIM Execution Plan - BEP
This roadmap outlines your BIM strategy, including software choices, data standards, and communication protocols. It ensures everyone is on the same page, avoiding confusion and wasted effort.
4. Use Collaboration Platforms
Real-time model access and changes are made possible by cloud-based technologies like BIM 360, which promote smooth cooperation between disciplines and geographical locations. These platforms help to keep everyone informed and in sync, which is essential for communication.
5. Leverage BIM for Planning and Scheduling
Create 4D simulations using the BIM model to see the construction process and spot any possible bottlenecks. This makes it possible to plan and make adjustments, which optimizes resource allocation and timetables.
6. Refine Cost Estimation with Accuracy
Accurate cost estimates and real-time budget tracking are made possible by the comprehensive information about materials, quantities, and dimensions that BIM models provide.
Using 5D Cost Estimation, quantity surveyors can develop precise bills of quantities (BOQ) directly from the BIM model
7. Clash Detection and Resolution
BIM software can identify potential clashes between different building elements before construction begins. This saves time and money by resolving issues virtually, avoiding costly rework down the line.
8. Facilities Management Made Easy
BIM doesn’t end with construction. You can populate the BIM models with critical lifecycle details of design elements. The model can be used for facility management, providing valuable data for maintenance, operation, and future renovations.
Conclusion
Implementing BIM requires investment and planning, but the benefits are undeniable. Increased efficiency, improved communication, and reduced risks translate to cost savings, schedule adherence, and higher-quality projects.
Project owners use BIM for Construction Management and Planning to avoid design errors, promote collaboration and save construction costs and time overruns. Implementing BIM on construction projects requires advanced software knowledge and information on the latest BIM guidelines.
It is crucial to understand the 6 dimensions of BIM before implementing BIM for construction management and planning, or it is advisable to partner with a BIM consulting company to achieve desired project goals through BIM.
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Devashish Sharma
Devashish is Founder/Director at Cresire where he leads BIM services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Sheffield and an MSc in Construction Project Management from The University of the West of England. His vision behind CRESIRE is to provide BIM services, adhering to best practices and procedures, to global customers, helping customers to save extensive production costs and overruns.
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