BIM Task Group

As from April 2016, BIM became mandatory on all UK Government projects. Project stakeholders have to meet BIM Level 2 as a minimum requirement if they want to continue working on public sector projects. This comes at time where other targets were set by the Government, such as cutting capital and operational expenditure by 2025, reducing carbon emission, etc.

Meeting these challenges requires significant improvement in current practices which are enabled by the advances in technology, such as BIM. BIM, as enabling tool, can bring about such a change but ONLY if it is underpinned by a clear strategy and effective business processes. However, unplanned investment in BIM could yield no or very low return on investment which could “backfire” on future investment in this important field.

A current survey (covering all construction disciplines) shows that 5% of the respondents are “confident to use BIM” (BIM+, April 2016). This reflects the lack of clarity of what BIM can do and how best it can be used in support of the business objectives.

BIM Task Group

What Needs To Be Done

Why Clients Need BIM?

BIM is an approved enabling technology (tool) to help clients to cut waste by introducing efficiency throughout the project life cycle thus leading to higher quality projects, delivered on time and at a lower cost, including lower operational cost.

What BIM Can Do For Clients?

By adopting a comprehensive BIM strategy, waste can be eliminated while improving the efficiency of the supply chain. According to the Investor Report (2012), BIM can save 10-20% in design, 20-40% in construction and can introduce revolutionary FM practices.

Why Clients Need Independent BIM Consultants?

Until client organisations develop the relevant skill and competency required to lead BIM projects, independent BIM consultants can act on behalf of clients to develop, implement and manage (QA/QC) the BIM strategy.

What Needs to be Done to Effectively Implement BIM?

“Supply chain providers only provide what they are asked for”. Hence, stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities need to be clearly defined to provide reliable and relevant information to meet clients’ requirements.

What Unisearch Can Offer?

Unisearch, an Awards Winning Company, has a unique and extensive academic and industrial experience in providing pioneering BIM Management and advanced Project Management services to clients from early design to FM.

The Critical Step: BIM Strategy

Before embarking on a BIM project (what ever Level is targeted, i.e. Level 2 or Level 3), a clear BIM strategy need to be created with a focus on achieving competitive advantage, business value and higher return on investment. Such a strategy should address the following:

  • Why is BIM required? (What targets need to be met?)
  • What can be achieved from BIM deployment?
  • How best it can be embraced into current work practices?
  • Can the set targets be done? (What is “our” current BIM maturity?)
  • What benefits can be achieved and at what stage of the project life cycle?
  • What competencies are required to achieve the required benefits?
  • What are the BIM-enabled processes and the required collaboration level?
  • What are the necessary QA/QC practices?
  • How best BIM can be developed to meet clients’ requirements?

Depending on the nature, size and BIM maturity of the organisation/project, benefits that can be achieved from BIM investment can be identified and met with clear KPIs and QA/QC procedure. This requires a strong BIM leadership to ensure that clear “plan of work” is set for all project’s stakeholders to comply with.