Introduction of BIM: Myths and Realities

BIM technologies (building information modeling) has an enormous potential to improve the profitability of investment and construction projects. It is due to this that today in Russia BIM implementation into industrial and civil engineering is the goal of the government. Various line ministries, councils and offices participate in its realization.

About BIM has already been written quite a lot. Gradually the word is rooted in the minds of both ordinary designers and leading personnel. It would seem that the majority agrees that BIM is the future of design. Then why successfully implemented projects can be counted on fingers?

I think there are two main factors impeding widespread adoption of the technology:

• Psychological. Fear of changes in the habitual order of work, inertia, rejection of new approach at all levels, deep misunderstanding of a place of computer-aided engineering (CAE) system in work of the design organization.

• Financial. Not every company can afford luxury of buying expensive SW and its implementation, which is, by the way, at the price comes nearer to the cost of the software itself. At this point, I should note that actually, investment in BIM in case of successful implementation pay off within two to three years. But this is a subject for another article... In this article I would like to discuss some of the common myths about implementing BIM.And since I have sufficient practical experience in using Autodesk Revit, and then it will go on about this program.

Myth № 1
After the introduction of this tool it will be necessary to radically change the entire design technology. In addition, the Chief Project Architects and Chief Project Engineers are unable to work in a new way, and this will cause a need of personnel reshuffle. Let us for example consider the classical arrangement of any design office (no matter the way people work there: using AutoCAD or drawing board).

• Chief Project Architect (CPA) or Chief Project Engineer (CPE) takes the main decisions, generates and approves the overall concept of the project, shares tasks and assignments, “drives” (coordinates) project.
• Leading Specialist of Project receives tasks from CPA (or CPE), distributes them amongst performers and designs itself, makes decisions and coordinates them with the leadman.
• Highly qualified designers work on committed sections.
• Technicians draw up the drawings.

This scheme is universal, it is based on the general rules of management, without regard to how (in what program) is being developed the project documentation.And this scheme we can easily take as a basis for the introduction of BIM.

You used to work different way? We can optimize your customary technology, taking the best of it and eliminating defects using the capabilities of modern programs.

As for the technical part of the matter – is even easier: we teach professionals, giving them a new compelling tool. Yes, it is somewhat more complex then familiar AutoCAD, but if we at the very beginning customize it specifically for you, design job with it will be easier, clearer and faster. Incidentally, the work of CPA is considerably simplified if it makes decisions based on 3D-models, not flat drawings. For example, if something is not clear, it is possible in two clicks to create a sectional view in 2D or 3D, and then to write comments ... Splendid!

Full content of this issue you can read here

The full version of the article can be read in our printed issue, also you can subscribe to the web-version of the magazine

Text: DMITRY CHUBRIK, Technical Director of INFARS Group of Companies