Best Practices
and
Lessons Learnt

This section outlines findings of our project survey and focuses on Best Practices and Lessons Learned in BIM implementation. It was developed based on participant responses and consists of a series of bullet points meant to support industry peers with the implementation of BIM processes. It consists of the following headlines:

Initial Stage of BIM Implementation

• Create a clear implementation plan with detailed instructions for each activity. Identify essential components and information necessary from the outset to support all service phases. 

• Define documents and instructions for BIM execution, outline BIM workflows and process cycles for better optimization and interoperability of software, platforms, and BIM tools. 

• Establish clear usage definitions to accurately determine contract requirements and entity selection.

• Ensure etiquette is established where the basic setup is clearly defined for initial use. Test basic workflows on a local network before implementing them on a cloud or WLAN server.

• Initiate the BIM process with a pilot project, followed by a project-driven approach rather than adapting the entire team at once. Utilize a fit-for-purpose BIM approach, tailoring specific BIM aspects to the field of work for enhanced relevance and effectiveness.

Team Building and Collaboration

• Starting with enthusiasts within the team is beneficial, as it fosters regular internal and external exchanges (networking). It's advantageous to create a collaborative and organized environment with colleagues who are knowledgeable about work methodologies and BIM platforms. Maintaining contact with the academic environment can also be beneficial.

• It is crucial to develop a uniform understanding of BIM among project participants, encompassing standards, common practices, and legal matters.

• Furthermore, careful selection of suitable project partners is essential. Equally important is the involvement of all trades throughout the project to ensure comprehensive collaboration and integration.

Client Related Issues and Advantages

• One major issue arising from the client side is their team's lack of technical ability to access BIM-related models and technical files, as well as to communicate their expectations effectively. A thorough discussion of the Employer's Information Requirements (EIR) is crucial to ensure everyone is on the same page, clearly defining what is to be delivered and by whom from the start.

• Often, a lack of understanding of BIM by clients results in the Common Data Environment (CDE) being used merely as a platform for exchange, where individual services are not engaged, and only the visualization aspect is prioritized, neglecting other important factors.

• On a positive note, involving the client early in the process has been observed to significantly reduce change costs, especially when higher dimensions of BIM (4D and 5D) are involved.

Software Related Topics

• It is highly recommended to clearly outline the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) conditions, including mapping the software used and their interdependencies, as well as ensuring compatibility between software and interaction between production environments. The difficulty in coordinating models has long been recognized and needs to be carefully addressed early on.

• Initial training on the software and respective templates is crucial, and a thorough understanding of the software's potential is important. Establishing a collaborative Common Data Environment (CDE) is also vital to meet the project's requirements.

• Data exchange between different software and databases needs to be well-established, especially when using software packages that are less "open" (with limited adaptation of Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) or only limited in-house software exchange within the same environment). Often, specialists for different platforms must be involved to facilitate simple data connections.

• The use of clash detection software (e.g., DALUX or Autodesk Navisworks Manage) can save a significant amount of time and be precise and easy to use, even for subcontractors. Additionally, the use of a visual programming add-in (e.g., Dynamo with Autodesk Revit) has proven to be very useful.

Hardware Related Topics

• When starting to implement BIM, existing hardware may be overwhelmed with the new software, and an upgrade to hardware that is suitable for BIM software may be necessary.

Training and Education

• Investing in training courses should be a priority, focusing on understanding existing standards and practices. Explaining what BIM is (generally, application, classification, LOD/levels, openBIM, interdisciplinarity, lifecycle, LCA) is essential.

• There should be a strong focus on concrete implementation as part of further education, preferably in smaller projects (pilot projects).

• Supporting and fostering the willingness of involved employees, particularly the front runners (champions) in the organization is crucial.

Coordination and quality assurance

• Having regular meetings with the BIM coordinator is essential to resolve conflicts and ensure the quality of work as required for coordination and meeting client requirements. 

• Real-time coordination during meetings (e.g., moving geometry to resolve collisions) has proven to be time-efficient in resolving interdisciplinary conflicts. The BIM coordinator should also have a clear mapping of the project requirements and their priorities.

Cost Considerations

• Costs related to training and software subscriptions should be factored into the project's financial budget early on.

Time Management

• The early implementation of BIM with an inexperienced team may require a more generous timeframe, particularly during the early design phases. Optimally, this time would be reduced with experience and would pay off in subsequent projects or the later phases of the current project (e.g., the construction phases). 

• Major delays could occur due to learning the software concurrently with the planning phase, which may result in failing to meet deadline commitments.

Address the known challenges as soon as possible

• There is typically a lack of understanding of what BIM really is. Project participants may spend time primarily discussing CAD functionality, thinking they are discussing BIM.

• There is often no clear role distribution between the architect and specialist planner, or disregard of the specialist planner's overall BIM coordination by the architect, leading to a lack of collaborative behavior.

• The lack of agreement and consensus among companies and professionals on the general implementation of BIM. There is little or no rigor in defining instructions and BIM methods, such as the BEP, and other documents and information supports that describe how to implement the cycles and work methods in BIM format. This results in a lack of professionalism in quality control and obtaining results, using quality control and information platforms to obtain standards, classifications, and BIM results.

• Poor preliminary work regarding Level of Information, opaque CDE, and its configuration, and little enthusiasm among colleagues to find their way around the new authoring software and to exchange ideas with each other (little communication).

• Typically, there is a lack of involvement of building management. Also, the choice of a consulting firm that insisted on imposing its CDE but could not cover all the project requirements, leading to enormous delays in the project process.

• From the modeling point of view, the modeling could be too detailed and exceed the budget, and poorly coordinated models that were a mess, in poor quality regarding lack of collision control and verification.

Empower BIM champions and advocate the BIM benefits 

• Significant improvement in communication in case of professional conflicts of interest among participants. Outsiders immediately have a good overview of the project content. Additionally, employees who join the project later quickly get an overview and conflicts between trades become quickly apparent.

• The implementation of BIM can also impact aspects related to project advertisements in case of real estate sales where the developed models can serve well in the preparation of a "show" or presentation. It has been seen that experienced managers are increasingly impressed with the outcome of projects where BIM was implemented, including the developed As-built models and the advantages of a documentation app for construction supervision.