Technology

Benefits of BIM Adoption Throughout the Construction Process

The construction industry has only just begun to scratch the surface when it comes to leveraging the power of BIM to its full potential.
By Matthew Hudelson
January 16, 2021
Topics
Technology

The coronavirus pandemic is leaving many short-term and long-term effects on the construction industry. The macroeconomic slowdown in the industry has forced companies to upgrade their field safety operations. Project sites are ramping up disinfecting and deep-cleaning protocols and deploying company-wide safety and health management systems.

Communication and coordination behaviors that build trust also reduce the number of workplace incidents and increase productivity in de-densified jobsites. The industry has reaffirmed its commitment to safety protocols that empower and protect workers. Safety is the top priority for everyone working on or around construction sites.

In the newly dispersed team environment, it’s important that project teams use location/object/model-based technology solutions that connect workers directly to construction documents. Building Information Modeling technology puts a streamlined construction document management system/platform in the hands of each project team member. This intelligent process leverages technology and reduces the human resources needed to operate smoothly. Location/object-based tracking allows BIM users to connect directly to the most recent construction documents and data.

Most importantly, BIM has helped companies better take care of their people by enhancing the tasks associated with project management. As the model develops with project phases, progress reports can be delivered to owners and jurisdictions in a real-world, real-time context. Model-based simulation, takeoffs, scheduling, estimating, inspection and progress tracking also drive significant value in workflows that once involved risk and inefficiencies. As team members at each stage of the project complete their tasks, the project stays on schedule and social distancing protocols are maintained organically.

BIM technology benefits all members of the team, at every stage of a construction project.

BIM Modeling and design

Architects use BIM to create 3D models of the building systems. BIM design variations are easier to create, reference and, merge, into existing conditions with minimal error. BIM allows architects to be proactive about RFIs and submittals to arrive at a holistic facility that matches the original design intent.

Designers also use BIM to capture the aesthetics of space, while also accounting for its constructability and operation. Clash detection in artificial and mixed reality environments allow the designer to predict issues that may interfere with the experience. By having access to 2D, 3D, 4D (time) and even 5D (cost) models early in the design process, designers and architects can protect the design by preventing coordination delays from ever reaching the construction site.

Construction

Construction projects always deviate from the proposed budget, resources and schedule. The value of BIM grows when planning, design, construction and operation are integrated with the full stack of the designers, builders and owners information. The transparency of BIM allows the contractor to track the work, identify issues and adjust quickly to changes in resources, schedule and budget.

Beyond the contractor, BIM provides a direct connection between the decision-makers and those who execute those decisions on the construction site. Onsite staff can direct the right person to the right position to complete the right task with reliable precision. Daily and hourly evaluations and progress reports of the work helps the entire team track the progress and stay on schedule.

Owners

Building owners that take a visionary approach are able to stay at the forefront of a competitive construction market. BIM gives them innovative and highly reliable tools that provide up-to-the-minute reporting of the planning, design, construction and occupancy of their facility portfolio. Model-based processes like digital twins extend the life of construction documents beyond project hand-off. BIM provides reliable data sets that build trust between architect and contractor. Especially in the age of COVID, owners can avoid multiple site visits to get the reporting they need from the building model, not the person. They can do it all from the safety of their home or office.

In this new remote-first world of doing business, clear communication and collaboration is key. The construction industry has only just begun to scratch the surface when it comes to leveraging the power of BIM to its full potential, but when teams adopt BIM software throughout every stage of the building process—from design to construction to permitting—they can stay on track, hit budget goals and keep the entire team safe.

by Matthew Hudelson
Since 2010, Matthew Hudelson has worked alongside builders, owners, inspectors and design teams to learn and solve the challenges they face on complex construction projects with technology. Today, the Inertia Platform is used by leading general contractors, owners and jurisdictions.

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