Why is 2D CAD to BIM still a thing?

We are discussing the cost of construction in Hong Kong a lot these days and one frequently proposed solution / contribution is to fully embrace the use of BIM. “We are using BIM” I hear you cry, but are we utilising it fully?

Until the entire design team designs straight into BIM, there is an incredible waste and a growing lack of coordination between disciplines and trades. For example, if your MEP engineer designs in 2D (on print-outs from the architect's BIM model) and then checks, coordinates and issues, the waste is not merely in terms of drafting time, but even more so it is the huge time lag between the base design and the 2D drawings issued back. This can be days and weeks, by which time the base design will have moved on, particularly during the initial rapid design-development of preliminary and scheme design. Your design team will waste more time and effort playing catch-up, leading to poor coordination, compromise, an inferior product and lower team morale.

Have your consultants design straight into BIM. As a client, insist on it when hiring!

As you progress towards procurement, put the BIM model and modelling requirements front and centre of your procurement, so contractors are encouraged, incentivised, forced (?) to develop and use the opportunities that an accurate, data-rich BIM model provides. Many contractors outsource BIM on contracts to a third-party consultant and see the delivery of an updated BIM model as a “deliverable for the client” rather than an incredibly useful tool for planning, coordination, logistics, visualisations, progress and defects management.

So how do we improve the use of BIM on our projects? Don’t focus only on the outputs of BIM, also pay attention to the inputs!

#BIM #projectmanagement #gowanprojects