In this article, Rob Stephen, VP of EMEA Sales and Operations at Newforma, explores how firms can advance BIM by incorporating better project information tools
BIM is a collaborative system (people, process, and data) that helps AECO industry professionals design, deliver, and maintain built assets throughout the entire lifecycle.
The use of Building Information Modeling has significantly grown globally. According to a Zion Market Research study, the global building information modeling (BIM) market size was worth around $15bn in 2021 and is predicted to grow to around $53bn by 2030.
However, the Newforma Study, “Finding Common Ground: The Future of Project Information Management,” revealed that although most respondents (67%) indicated that they have a BIM process, it is primarily used by architects.
Netherlands-based research firm USP Marketing Consultancy reports that “the adoption rate has been increasing, as in 2021 the percentage of European architects using BIM increased to 44%.
In the future, European architects think that the percentage of BIM users will increase to 61% in 2025 … amongst European contractors, the BIM adoption rate is only 42% in the Netherlands, 21% in the UK and below 6% in all other countries (2021 data).”
Engineering and general contractor firms appear to lag architecture firms in the use of BIM, which begs the question as to the level of BIM collaboration that has actually been achieved between project stakeholders.
What are the levels of BIM collaboration?
The level of BIM collaboration not only varies by discipline, but also by country. Countries that mandate the use of BIM are further along in the advancement of BIM.
The concept of Building Information Modeling (BIM) maturity levels has existed for well over a decade in the United Kingdom. The industry has progressed from BIM Level 0 and 1 where there was little or no collaboration.
In Level 2 BIM there is collaboration, however, information is exchanged in several standard formats, which requires files to be imported, reconciled, corrected, and returned.
The Newforma study “Finding Common Ground” revealed that collaboration to resolve model issues and clashes are typically communicated via email. Exchanging files through email can introduce delays, miscommunication, and human error.
BIM Level 3 progresses collaboration to include the integration of all project information related to the model. But the industry is flooded with software applications designed for specific functions. As a result, this level of maturity is difficult to achieve given that information is scattered across organisations, applications, and platforms.
A lack of standardisation has hindered BIM collaboration
BIM collaboration has also been hindered by the lack of standardisation regarding the sharing of construction information, which is where standards organisations have stepped in.
BIM maturity levels describe the progressive stages of BIM adoption and implementation, while ISO 19650 provides guidelines for information management in BIM projects.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) published ISO 19650 in 2018 as the standard for organising information on construction projects.
In many countries, such as the United Kingdom, public contracts are already subject to ISO 19650 requirements. It has become the common framework and guideline for AECO businesses to deliver high-quality digitally built assets.
ISO 19650 is often associated with a Common Data Environment (CDE). A CDE, as defined by BIM Wiki, “is the single source of information used to collect, manage and disseminate documentation, the graphical model and non-graphical data for the whole project team (i.e. all project information whether created in a BIM environment or in a conventional data format).”
This definition also states that the CDE may contain several different information environments. In other words, a common data environment does not mean a centralised data environment.
This is where project information management can play a role to unify information across organisations and the project lifecycle.
Project information management applied to BIM
There are many overlapping and common goals between BIM and Project Information Management. BIM has advanced the standardisation of information formats while Project Information Management has addressed open standards for exchanging information.
A comprehensive strategy for managing project information is about unifying people, process, and technology. The strategy includes defining what information will be shared, with whom, when, and how. It involves the development of standard processes and protocols across project stakeholders.
The strategy also helps to set expectations across project stakeholders on how information exchanged will be used.
A Project Information Management (PIM) software solution unifies all project data and project communication across a variety of applications, platforms, and storage locations.
Open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) automate the flow of information across applications and platforms. This strategy enables teams to use the applications that are best suited for their work while automating the sharing of common information.
A Project Information Management solution can address the following challenges with BIM collaboration today:
Creating an open-common data environment (CDE)
A PIM strategy is centered around the concept of an Open-CDE, where project data, communications, and processes are connected.
According to ISO 19650, businesses need to be able to work in a shared environment for exchanging information.
An effective PIM solution enables project teams to access, share, and manage project data across multiple information environments rather than dictating where that information should reside.
Management of email communication
Email communication is an important component of project information which, due to its conversational use, is often overlooked.
Key decisions are communicated by email, but collaboration efforts are hindered with delays and miscommunications which are inherent with email.
When email is left siloed in individual inboxes, critical information may remain invisible to the wider project team. If questions arise in the operations and maintenance phase of a project, the information required is often buried within prior email communications.
A project information management solution integrates project email as part of the project record and can easily be searched to find the information required to respond, even if the project has been archived.
Relating project information to the model
With today’s increased project complexity there is a greater chance that errors, conflicts, omissions, and ambiguities may be missed during design and development stage reviews.
Additionally, issues detected during the construction phase often result in the generation of a Request for Information (RFI).
Since RFIs are contractually managed, any source of delay or increased expense may result in a legal claim. A single tool may not provide all the information needed to make informed decisions and resolve issues.
For example, relating email communications or having the ability to comment on issues in real-time, may reveal options for a solution that eliminates the need for a formal RFI altogether.
If an RFI is unavoidable, having a Project Information Management strategy ensures that the information required to respond in a timely manner is directly available.
Complete as-built project records
In addition to streamlining collaboration and communication, project information management also provides audit trails and history of communication exchanges and decision making that is critical for ongoing operation and maintenance of the built asset.
It is also a key component of a comprehensive risk management strategy.
Having a complete project record that includes the model data, associated changes, and communications is key in relation to liability. Stakeholders can respond to inquiries and address issues long after the project has been completed.
A path forward to advancing BIM
To advance BIM, information generated and collected throughout the project lifecycle needs to be accessible to all project stakeholders in a timely manner.
By incorporating BIM in the overall project information management strategy, stakeholders are clear on what information is needed, by whom, and when for each phase of the project.
By relating project information into the BIM model, all team members can access the same data and work from the same set of information. This can help reduce misunderstandings and errors and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals.
In addition to improved collaboration, project teams can also increase efficiency by transparently managing action items, issues, and tasks. Real-time communication reduces the delays and human error often introduced through email communication.
The value of bringing project information together with building information modeling is that it can improve collaboration, increase efficiency, enhance decision-making, and improve project outcomes. By integrating these two sets of information, construction teams can work more effectively and deliver better results for their clients.
Discover how Newforma can improve your collaborative information management, project management, and BIM coordination: request a demo today.
Rob Stephen is VP of EMEA Sales and Operations. With over thirty years of experience in the AEC industry, Rob plays a crucial role in managing the customer experience and driving operational growth across EMEA.
Prior to joining Newforma, Rob held positions in both architectural and digital transformation, gaining firsthand insights into the industry. As an active advisor, Rob guides architectural, engineering, and construction companies in effectively implementing project information management (PIM) systems and processes.
