cm322-2u rethinking your firm into revit.m4

Rethinking Your Firm into Revit®: The Transition to

BIM Takes More than Software Jon Anunson – URS Corporation

CM322-2U BIM as a technology and process is radically different from traditional design practice.

Are you going to try to press your traditional practice into the BIM mold? If we're going to reorganize design to utilize BIM, then let's rethink the way we approach and manage design. When does engineering work start on a facility? Why do your staff sit where they do? How do you evaluate computer hardware purchases? What has worked and not worked in your practice to leverage the tools that BIM provides in order to produce better and/or more profitable projects? How do you train your users? How do you measure their abilities? Do you continue to use drawings? How and Why? What radical change can you imagine to the design process that will make use of the technology and tools now available to us as designers? Speak out and learn from others!

About the Speaker: Jon Anunson, AIA, NCARB, BIM Coordinator, URS Corporation.

A registered architect and database programmer/software engineer, Jon has 30 years of experience in computer graphics, 3D Modeling and programming and 20 years of experience in architectural design and production. He's worked with enriching 3D design models and documents with client, design, and construction data for over 15 years, and has been an active Autodesk Revit® user since version 1.0. Jon has coordinated BIM implementations of complex architectural and engineering projects such as hospitals, airports, and secure and federal projects ranging in size up to 1.5 Million Square Feet. He consults on projects with a variety of special needs including 3D construction coordination, complex delivery methods, the utilization of IPD Protocols and model collaboration, and the integration of specialty data and computational needs. He has presented BIM concepts and techniques to various trade & industry groups, Local and Regional AIA meetings, University and Community college lectures and symposiums.

[email protected]

CM322-2U: ЯE Thinking Your Firm into Revit®

The Transition to BIM Takes More than Software!

2

Rethinking Your Firm into Revit®

The Transition to BIM Takes More than Software

Jon Anunson

URS Corporation

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3

Discussion Plan: ........................................................................................................................ 3 Outline ....................................................................................................................................................... 3

Introductions .............................................................................................................................. 4 Enrollment ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Attendee Background Survey ................................................................................................................... 4 Discussion Jump-Start Survey .................................................................................................................. 5

Orientation Material .................................................................................................................... 7 Definition: BIM .......................................................................................................................................... 7 Concepts that require change ................................................................................................................. 11 Barriers to Change .................................................................................................................................. 13 Tools that Enable the ЯE Think .............................................................................................................. 14

Discussion Topics .....................................................................................................................23 Contracts ................................................................................................................................................. 23 Workflow / Process.................................................................................................................................. 23 Hardware ................................................................................................................................................. 23 Collaboration & Roles ............................................................................................................................. 23 Training Strategies .................................................................................................................................. 23 Model-Based Estimation ......................................................................................................................... 23 BIM Deliverables ..................................................................................................................................... 24 Bidding .................................................................................................................................................... 24 Contractors .............................................................................................................................................. 24 Scope, Model Management .................................................................................................................... 24 Other ....................................................................................................................................................... 24

Reference Material ....................................................................................................................25 Research Links:....................................................................................................................................... 25

Group Messages .......................................................................................................................26 Message 1: Thank you for Signing Up! 2010.11.15 ............................................................................... 26 Message 2: A Head-Start on the discussion 2010.11.17 ....................................................................... 27 Message 3: Last Minute Information, See you in Vegas! 2010.11.23 ................................................... 27 Message 4: Thank you for attending. 2010.12.13 .................................................................................. 27



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Introduction Rethinking your firm into Revit:

The process of designing and documenting buildings has remained relatively unchanged for

hundreds of years. Now, we’re beginning to see tools that can improve our creative and

technical delivery process, but how can we take advantage of these tools. The most difficult

part of implementing BIM is not the software selection. BIM is more than just a technology; It’s

a process. In this unconference, we’ll discuss how we can create a process / culture /

environment in existing practices that enable us to fully leverage the benefits of BIM.

Discussion Plan: In order to make the most of the discussion time, let’s plan on minimum "Orientation" Time, I will

lead us in a survey of our base assumptions. We'll go as fast as the group can, so we can

maximize our time learning from each other's experience and expertise.

Section Start Length End

Introductions 11:00 AM 0:05:00 0:05:00

Orientation 11:05 AM 0:10:00 0:15:00

Discussion 11:15 AM 0:35:00 0:50:00

Conclusions 11:50 AM 0:10:00 1:00:00

End 12:00 PM

Outline

Introductions who we are A brief review of our names, and the group's statistics…

Orientation basis of discussion

A presentation of the information for the basis of our conversation…

Discussion What we’ve done, what we know, think, wonder

Group investigation of the issues, sharing experiences, advice…

Conclusions what we agree on

Common conclusions (document post-conference)

End Let’s Keep in Touch!

Follow-up & Contact info will be provided after AU.



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Introductions Several web surveys were used prior to the Unconference to help inform our discussion.

Questions and results will be documented here for your reference.

Enrollment

Attendee Background Survey 1. How big is your organization?

2. How experienced is your staff with BIM?

3. How Much experience does your

organization have with BIM?

4. How often to you use Revit in your

organization: What % of your projects

are completed with Revit?

5. How often to you use Revit in your

organization: What % of your projects

are completed with 100% of deliverables

done in Revit?

6. How big are your projects?

7. Where are you now? (Check the one

that matches you status the closest.)

Considering the use of Revit/BIM for

production (no test cases)

Evaluating the use of Revit/BIM for

production? (One or several test

projects)

Planning a transition

Struggling with the transition

(recovering from some missteps)

In the middle of a transition (so far

so good!)

100% BIM in Part of the

organization, making it global.

Have Transitioned, Looking to move

to the “next level.”

8. Are any of the following true about your

organization Culture? (Check All that

Apply.)

Production 29%

Management 18%

Technical Managem

ent 46%

Research / Education

7%

What we Do

US 86%

CA 11%

AU 3%

Where We're From

US CA AU Other



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All projects are required to be done

in Revit.

You see the necessity and/or

benefits of IDP (Integrated Design

Processes) in your firm.

You see the necessity and/or

benefits of IPD (Integrated Project

Delivery) in your firm.


organizations Standards?

You use or have you used the AIA

Contract exhibit AIA E202-2008.

You require BIM Deliverables from

your consultants.

You have a BIM Execution Plan.

You have a library of custom Revit

Content.

You deploy the plugins for Revit.

You have created custom Revit

plugins of your own.


organizations project delivery? (Check

All that Apply.)

Your CAD standards reflect the use

of Revit.

You have integrated specifications

through Revit via an application like

eSpecs or Speclink.

You have integrated cost estimation

through Revit via internal schedules

or application extensions

You deliver contract documents in

locked/signed 2D digital format

(DWFX, PDF,).


locked/signed 3D digital format

(DWFX, PDF, and NWD).


editable/Functional digital format

(DWG, RVT, NWC, and IFC).

You issue your model as a

construction document.

You deliver contract documents via

a

website/SharePoint/Buzzsaw/Project

portal.

You offer clash detection as a

deliverable.

You offer the BM model for sale as

an FM tool.

You charge extra for renderings.

You charge extra for animations.

Discussion Jump-Start Survey 1. What most interests you about this Unconference?

Listening: Learning about BIM Workflows and changes to the design and documentation

process that result from using BIM

Talking: Discussing solutions with others who are working on similar problems

Research: Finding out how far along others in the marketplace are in using BIM

2. What would you like to see the most time spent on in the Orientation segment? What do

you know the least about, want the most information presented to focus on?

Contracts

Workflow

Hardware

Collaboration & Roles

Training Strategies

Model-Based Estimation

BIM Deliverables

Bidding

Contractors

Scope, Model Management



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3. Do you agree with the definition of BIM supplied in the course material?

4. What do you think are the most DIFFICULT and IMPORTANT hurdles to overcome when

Re-Orienting your practical production for the use of BIM?

5. How do you think your organization fares in implementing BIM compared to the competition

in your market?

6. Would you be willing to share your BIM Execution Plan documents with others at this

session?

Orientation Material

Definition: BIM BIM is more than Software. BIM IS: a technology, a process, and a potential service/

deliverable. Overall BIM influences nearly all of the design and construction process.

BIM is the collaborative and holistic process of designing and documenting a building in a Data-

centric, relational information model about the facility.

BIM is a Technology.

As a documentation technique, BIM augments the design team’s ability to create coordinated,

accurate design documentation, respond to changes more rapidly, and predict and avoid

construction conflicts. The BIM model is a 3D representation of the building and the equipment

and furnishings within. Each object in the BIM Model represents an actual object, and contains

information about itself, such as its relationship to other objects, its utility requirements,

clearances; Even warranty and specification information can be embedded in each item so that

users of the model can navigate to equipment in specific locations within the building and review

a full complement of information about the object. The design then, becomes a database of

objects, relationships and specifications. This database of multiple forms of information

captures more design intent than traditional drawings, and creates a platform for managing

work, schedule, and change during design and construction. By documenting a design in a BIM

model, we create a more intelligent, and nimble facility plan that enhances the construction

process, predicts conflicts before they occur, and can adapt to changes with less effort.

As a technology BIM forms a relational database of facility information that can create the

backbone of a facilities management and operations process for the lifecycle of the building.

The ‘I’ is the most important part of BIM. BIM is an INFORMATION model about a

building, not a building model that has extra information attached.

True BIM comes from a Relational Database. The advantage of working in BIM stems

primarily from our ability to leverage the relationships between, and the cascading

reference to, tables or lists of information

BIM isn’t necessarily 3D, but as it’s an Information Model about a building, It most likely

contains information that is at least partly geometric.

In practice, BIM is not, nor is it very similar to, CAD.

BIM is a Process.

Creating a BIM model in the early design phases of a project creates a rich collection of

information about project requirements, design intent, and building performance. BIM design

places enhanced design and coordination effort for all design disciplines earlier in the design

process where greater change can be affected with less cost and schedule impact. This allows



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designers to make more informed decisions, and test more concepts for greater benefit to the

finished design. Scenarios for building layout, building performance, and construction strategy

can be simulated and quantified. The construction can be more easily quantified to understand

the cost impact of design options. Alternate energy, air, and lighting strategies can be tested for

performance and cost. Quality and Quantity can be better understood, Summed, and evaluated

by all parties involved. Better designs come from informed decisions, and the ability to more

fully investigate and evaluate design concepts during the early design process.

A BIM Process is Collaborative. The more input that can be combined into the process

earlier, the more opportunities we have to improve the design, construction, and

operation of a facility.

BIM Based design wants to be Holistic. It’s difficult to separate specific tasks from the

overall goals in BIM, which is a good thing, even though it introduces difficulties with

traditional staffing models.

BIM models are designed in Iterative refinements. Guess early, alter, evaluate, and

refine. Draw it wrong before you draw it right.

The preceding 3 bullets mean that your design budget must be Front-Loaded. It takes

more effort to get to the traditional SD, and DD deliverables at the same level of detail.

Not because it’s harder, or because it’s less efficient, it’s because it requires more

consideration and coordination as part of the process. Once a team is good at BIM, it

becomes more comfortable and profitable to allow front-loaded budgets on BIM Projects.

BIM is not IPD (Integrated Project Delivery). BIM works very well in an IPD environment,

and enhances the IPD process. IPD also helps with the Collaborative, Holistic, and

Iterative needs of a BIM Process. They’re complementary, but either one can exist

without the other.

BIM is a Game Changer for Design, Construction and Operations

BIM is the basis of a modern method for unifying and coordinating information, providing

opportunities to improve efficiency, responsiveness, and quality.

Design Advantages with BIM

During the design of the project BIM -base processes allow for more detailed collaboration

between the designer and the owner, and between the design partners. Because the facility is

created and shared in 3D, the coordination between disciplines is enhanced and because

conversations about design can address spaces and functions in comprehensive 3D views,

facility owners can have detailed feedback on the qualities of space, and design issues and

tradeoffs being considered.

In addition, a BIM Database provides a much larger reservoir of design and construction

information earlier in the design process. This data can be leveraged for analysis and

simulation, to provide the design team very early feedback on building construction and

operation costs, sustainable design goals and the building efficiency, and to predict the

performance of systems, thermally, acoustically, visually, and otherwise.



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At the end of the design phase, by using collaborative processes based on a shared BIM

database, the design team can have a better-coordinated set of documents that illustrate a

more thoroughly considered, tested, and approved design. They can know in great detail what

the building will look like, cost, perform like, and how long it will likely take to build. They can

also understand the specific impact of the selection of each design alternative had on this

performance.

Clarity of Communication, Interaction

Coordination, Synergy

Documentation

Analysis (LEED?)

Construction Advantages with BIM

When the design is being documented in a BIM database, there are further opportunities to

leverage the BIM model for construction. With a collaborative environment based on shared

BIM Data, design partners can provide a platform for construction partners to find further

efficiency in the building process. The model can be analyzed for constructability, and

construction objects like scaffolding, cranes and delivery times/methods can be added to the

database. Issues like sequence and staging can be visualized and planned in detail. Time (4D)

and Cost (5D) data can be added to the BIM Database to analyze the cost and sequence/speed

of construction. This analysis will allow the constructor to reduce field costs such as on-site

storage, enable just-in-time delivery of construction materials, and provide for a safer, better

planned work site, all of which allow for significant savings. The 4D (time analyzed 3D) model

also becomes a tool to track project process, identify schedule issues very early, and address

them to keep construction on pace. The 5D (Cost analyzed 4D) model provides the same

tracking / oversight ability for material costs.

Fabrication drawings can be added to the model in 3D, reducing the possibility of conflicts

during installation in the field. 3D shop-drawing procedures further reduce waste and errors,

and reduce owner liability for in-field change orders due to conflicts in installation or clearance

issues.

As a change management engine, the BIM Model remains useful throughout the construction

process, ensuring accurate assembly and installation, coordinated construction, and compliance

to design documents. At the end of the construction process the well-maintained construction

model is a digital document that represents the construction as-built, including the steps in

construction that created the facility.

Coordination

Just -In-Time

Schedule Tracking

Verification

Overall Efficiency



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Operational Advantages with BIM

With an as-Built BIM model, owners now have a facility management tool that is far more

detailed and useful than 2D drawings. Because a BIM is a database, direct data about

individual elements in the building is much more accessible. The BIM Database can be

accessed directly, or converted into an FM (Facility Management) database platform, where

work orders and office assignments can be managed based on accurate 3D information on the

facility. Through the lifecycle of the building, the accurate As-Built BIM model is a tool that can

be used for maintenance and alterations to the facility, as well as to test and manage

operational alternatives, even to validate systems commissioning.

Throughout facility design and construction, the use of BIM technology encourages

collaboration, enhances coordination, and provides better tools to predict performance and

manage change.

Data-Centric Approach

Inventory

Moves, Occupancy, Scheduling

Maintenance, Tracking, fulfillment

Organization, Filing, paperwork, Warranties



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Concepts that require change

Holistic

Addressing big-picture decisions and filtering down to specifics gradually. Do designers stop

designing? When does engineering start? How can we ask our engineers to design an

incorrect solution based on early information and still be profitable?

Front Loaded

Consider that it’s likely some traditional fee schedule has been shown to your client as early as

the RFP response. Most were already expecting something similar before requesting a

proposal. What will they expect for what percent of the fee? Are they sophisticated enough to

care about the level of detail in early deliverables? If so, are they also sophisticated enough to

recognize the benefits of BIM deliverables relative to their increased up-front investment, or a

front-loaded fee schedule?

Collaborative

How will you share model information with the contractor? How will you gather program and

goal information from the client? Is the client prepared for the information demands they will

need to meet to populate a BIM database?

BIM Is Not CAD.

People working on a BIM model no longer work on representational images; they create virtual

representations of actual objects. In order to be effective, they need to understand the

construction and assembly of materials, the function of systems, and the purpose of elements in

the design. How will you use drafters in the BIM process? How will your engineers impart

sufficient information to modelers about system function and intent?

BIM is not IPD

But one of the reasons for the IPD framework is the need to protect professionals who

collaborate on a BIM solution from the liability issues that arise from a shared information

database that extends beyond the traditional level of detail in an “Instrument of Service”

document. So, how can we benefit from this collaborative environment without assuming more

risk than we’re prepared for? How do we ensure others work with us toward our common best

interest? How do we assimilate data from design and construction partners who have no direct

contractual relationship with us?

Engineering can/must be efficient before Design is complete

Building Structure and system design are integral parts of the machines for enclosure that we

call buildings. In a holistic, iterative approach we need to ask engineers (in-house, or

consultants) to buy into the front-loaded schedule, to model before a final design is possible,

and to change the model as decisions progress. This tends to be a difficult sell for a discipline

that is trained to provide accurate answers to specific questions. Can you ask your consultant

to skip the one-line diagram and narrative and instead design a hypothetical partial system?

Can you ask your structural engineer to provide 3D schematic structural design? As engineers,



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can we maintain a budget while modeling inaccurate systems and revising? There’s plenty of

evidence available that these techniques work, but it may take a leap of faith and some timid

testing to get everyone on board.



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Barriers to Change While we can identify some major points where the conceptual of BIM deviates from tradition,

there are still some very sticky barriers within our industry and our own offices that will also have

to be overcome.

Office Culture

How do you break old habits? Take away old tools? Provide education, rewards?

Staffing

What roles do you define as part of your salary structure? Do they apply in a holistic modeling

environment? Do you have enough of the right kind of knowledge available? How will you get

those with the design knowledge to efficiently embed it in the model?

Industry Culture

Are your design consultants and construction partners ready to work with you in BIM?

Legal /Insurance requirements/precedent

Does your liability insurance cover BIM deliverables? Would they if they understood what they

are? Does your contract protect you?

Existing Contract language

Is the contract your organization uses obligating project teams to work in a way that’s less BIM-

Friendly?

Traditional Workflow

Complete the design, get sign-off, engineer the structure, layout ceilings and ductwork, review,

coordinate, detail, deliver. Sure, you still can do this, but if you wanted to get the most value

from the technology you’re using, perhaps there’s a better process.

Delivery Requirements

Do the delivery standards of your clients require you to produce documents in a less efficient

manner? A specific file format? There are workarounds.



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Tools that Enable the ЯE Think

Targeted Change

Your firm is a firm for a reason. BIM can’t be a complete wipe of the slate, but it affects so many

areas of practice that targeting all of the elements that need change can look like a full restart.

This won’t win over your staff, or allow you to maintain the properties of the organization that

have led to its success. What are the most important triggers that will allow for success without

damaging the best parts of the existing structure and culture?

Empowered Staff

Give staff who must cope with the procedural changes of a BIM workflow the authority to

question standards, suggest changes, and identify inefficiencies in the way they need to work

with the BIM model. The model authors will be able to quickly identify practices that hurt the

bottom line, slow down BIM development, and introduce the opportunity for error. Don’t ask

transitioning staff to shift platforms without giving them the ability to tune their process

accordingly.

BIM-Friendly Contracts

Can you create contracts that allow you to work in a more BIM-friendly sequence and still

provide clients with the deliverables and controls they’re expecting? What needs to change?

Below is a set of billing schedule graphics. It includes 3 tracks: Traditional, a BIM-recognizing

schedule that has been published and used by a number of standards, and an Ideal schedule

that reflects the best-case use of money where it matters by all parties. How can contracts and

pre-project planning help move a project closer to the ideal? What internal changes will also

need to be made to enable this distribution?

5%

5%

5%

25%

20%

15%

40%

25%

15%

15%

20%

40%

2%

7%

7%

8%

23%

18%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Ideal

BIM

Traditional

PD

SD

DD

CD

Bids

CA, Closeout



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Model Planning

Know what questions to ask before starting. Educate the client. Address the deliverables, and

Work/Model to the Deliverable. Plan the model files with file size, team size, and all final

deliverables in mind. Plan the clash-detection and/or coordination procedures, for all phases.

Once you start to model, Utilize the Model Data well; Feed your Database!

Training Structure

Transitioning to new design and documentation software and techniques is a significant effort.

In order to be successful in such a transition, training will be required. The transition to a BIM

environment from traditional CAD is especially difficult. Most groups underestimate the scope of

change involved; the technological change from CAD to BIM involves a paradigm shift in project

planning, execution and management, as well as a change in software and technique, and

computer hardware requirements. This is a list of potential training strategies, and how and

when to best implement them in a transition from CADD to BIM. All of these techniques can be

used together, or individually as needed.

Provide a structure, ROLES to access help.

Name an office BIM leader, Try to find a Managing BIM leader, and announce these people's

roles and responsibilities to the office.

Office and or

Studio/Discipline/Practice/Project BIM

Leaders

A good communicator and software leader

who has organization and presentation skills

to represent the office in sales

presentations, Office BIM leaders lead

training and monthly BIM informational

Lunches, and provide direction, training,

and consistency in the execution of BIM

Projects. This person will coordinate with

Project model managers to address

concerns or needs for hardware, software,

content, and templates. An Office BIM

leader probably needs some dedicated

overhead hours to spend maintaining the

offices processes and scheduling meetings

and/or training in coordination with the

Regional BIM Coordinator; 5%-20%

depending on the needs of the office. An

office BIM Leader may also be the CADD

Manager, however BIM leadership can be

thought of as a different process than CAD

Management; BIM leaders would be more

concerned with project processes, and

overseeing and maintaining the BIM

Database consistency and integrity. They

advise on modeling and documentation

techniques, but not necessarily CADD

Standards like titles, sheet names,

numbers, layers, etc.

Office IT Manager

The same person you're already

accustomed to calling for computer and

software needs.

A Managing BIM Coordinator

This should be someone within the

organization who can maintain consistency,

Train, and Create standards for the whole

organization.

They would maintain Shared parameters,

templates and other items that require

consistency throughout all



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practices/offices/studios. This person

should also work with IT to Coordinate

deployment of software, service packs and

updates, and provide training curriculum in

the form of short training sessions as well

as guided hands-on training. They should

be available to work with project teams to

plan complex or difficult projects, and

promote the use of standard procedures

and templates throughout the region.

Other services the Managing BIM

Coordinator would be in the position to

provide include:

Assess training needs

Periodically review logs in coordination

with IT to determine licensing needs.

Maintain and edit a store of data on

standards and best practices.

Advise Project managers on the

planning and execution of BIM

implementation and contracts.

Present on BIM Services and

Capabilities in a marketing and PR

capacity.

Guide clients interested in implementing

BIM or integrated project delivery on the

techniques and services that will best

meet their needs.

Make sure people know who, and how,

to ask for software and technical

support. Include a list of resources for

help: Tech support, Tutorials, content

locations, public forums and content

sources such as AUGI (Autodesk Users'

Group International,

http://www.augi.com), Templates, and

organizational documents.

Project Model manager

One of the Discipline Model Managers.

On small, or single-model projects, One

person fills both roles.

Single point of contact for all model-

oriented questions.

The person who will maintain the

NavisWorks file and run clash

detections.

The person who will maintain uploads

and downloads and otherwise manages

the flow of information between

modeling entities.

Keeper of project-specific standards,

graphic standards, Title Blocks and

maintainer of communication about style

and standards conflicts between

consultants.

Maintainer of Title blocks, including

issues/revisions, Project Revisions,

Client -directed title block information

Implement any client-specific

project/shared parameters and

schedules.

Preserve / Record previous versions of

the models (or ensure that backups or

SharePoint versions are being

maintained.

Discipline Model Manager

On Multi-Discipline projects 1 person

should be named Model manager for

each Discipline-Specific model file to be

maintained.

Ensure that modeling requirements and

LOD Matrix guidelines are being met.

Maintains Export Views and produces

NavisWorks caches from the model.

Export or ensure that exports are made

of NavisWorks Geometry Cache files

(NWC) from Revit.



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Ensure that clash report items are

addressed in the model.

Maintain and verify workset integrity

Periodic Audits and Compression of the

Central file.

Periodic consistency checks, purges

and cleanup.

The person who will maintain all exports

and imports.

Clash/ Coordination Manager

This team member will work for the CM /

GC / internally and maintain the

coordination model and host clash

review sessions.

Manage collaborative Clash review

sessions

Collect and combine Clash detection

models from all participants.

Document and distribute clash reports.

Define a SWAT team

of your best users to approach the transition

This should be a group that works well together and is proficient using computers and

technology, and a team whose members are eager to learn and achieve. Provide recognition to

the team as trail-blazers in the office.

Note that the project manager must be included in the SWAT team. While the PM may not be

involved in the same training, and may not even use the BIM model directly, their role will be

significantly affected by the use of BIM technology, and they will need some training to prepare

for the shifts. The SWAT team should plan the approach for the first BIM Project together, and

then maintain their group through at least 3 projects.

SWAT Team Roles

Project Manager

Designer(s)

Engineer(s)

Detailer(s)

Computer Tech(s)

Communicator/ Facilitator

Model Manager(s)

Provide Intro Training to the SWAT team

Provide extra training focus and/or consulting time to support the team in their first effort.

Training very eager and adaptable users with no BIM experience to use a BIM application

should require up to three (3) training sessions. Each session will be up to three (3) days long,

and they should be spaced out to coincide with the beginning of the SD, DD and CD phases of

a project. Project Managers should receive training as well, but with a different focus. PM

training should be done very early in the project (pre-proposal, if possible) and should amount to

about two (2) days of instruction.

Keep the SWAT team communicating about their progress

Weekly Project Reviews with BIM Leader(s)

Identify upcoming tasks and questions regarding process.

Discuss current needs and questions

Follow SCRUM model for quick standing meetings and brief overviews.



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Monthly Project Reviews with Managing BIM Leader

Review model contents, Budget and scope compliance, BIM Execution plan and LOD

matrix, Update and verify the team's information. Address major organization and

modeling concerns, schedule training resources.

Monthly or Phase-completion Reports back to their Discipline

Brief overview from SWAT team members to the others in their discipline - Project

Progress, Issues and Solutions, Lessons Learned.

Maintain the team

Keep the same team together (all disciplines) through 3-4 projects so that they can continue to

support each other in learning and developing skills in regards to maintaining the model,

collaborating through it, and planning project execution

Spread the Knowledge

As the SWAT team grows in proficiency and attacks larger projects, gradually bring new

employees into the project team. When project opportunities are available, divide the SWAT

team over 2 projects, and continue to add employees and build proficiency across the

organization.

Ask SWAT staff to produce “Lunch & learn” sessions where they report new discoveries,

Progress on single-issue topics, lessons learned, or show off new successes.

Train on Demand

WebEx training,

Hired training on specific topics

Identify topics via team updates on upcoming tasks

Oversee Progress

Schedule OTS (over the Shoulder) time to check on the project weekly with the Discipline BIM

Leader. Keep Local BIM leader involved in weekly Scrums.

One-Deliverable at a Time

An alternate, or accompaniment to the SWAT Team approach, this is a more gradual transition.

It’s easier to manage budgets as only small portions of each project use new techniques. It also

takes longer to make the transition and reach a point where projects can benefit from the

synergy of an integrated model across all deliverables. Assign team members single-issue

topics to resolve and report back: 1 function at a time. Identify a leader for 1 deliverable, and

select a project to use the new technique. The leader will find out how to get the work done,

attempt to follow the procedure, while watching project budgets and communicating openly with

the PM about the costs and potential downstream benefits of the new process. Once a

deliverable has been successfully provided, the leader will hold a lunch-and learn session with



19

the rest of the discipline group and communicate the technique, identify caveats and benefits,

and provide documentation of the procedural steps. From that point forward, all projects are

required to use the new technique for that 1 deliverable. Over time, through several projects,

Train the trainer

Invest in training for discipline leaders - bring them all to a training location and provide in-depth

training. Up to Three (3) 3-day sessions are needed to cover a single application.

Classroom training is still the best way to introduce a whole new software/process to a design

team. Typical Classroom training -style intro sessions involve relocating a group of 6-10 people

into a single room for 3 days of instructor-led, lecture, discussion, and exercises.

Project Management: SCRUM

For a more complete definition of SCRUM, See the

SCRUM In under 10 Minutes video on YouTube or

5min.com. The video does a nice job of quickly

explaining the SCRUM concept. SCRUM can apply

well to the concept of developing a set of

architectural documents and is also good for

managing a more iterative development process as

required by a BIM workflow.

Scrum is a rugby term, and is used to describe this

process as an analogy to a rugby scrum where

players all bundle together and attempt to push the ball forward as a group

The following are my idea of translating the terms used in Scrum to an architectural project.

Product Backlog:

A well designed Product Backlog would be equivalent to an excellent set of best practices,

where each item that could potentially be included in a perfect document set is outlined; What a

finished product would look like, what tools to use, how to use the tools, and when it should be

done, by whom.

The Product Owner

The product owner roll equates to the project principal and/or project manager, selecting items

from the backlog that reflect our contract and the needs of the design.

Scrum Master

This is the Project manager, working to the plan, sometimes with the aid of a

facilitator/ communicator.

Release Backlog

The PM/Scrum Master places the desired project components into a plan by

phase, each phase of the project equates to a 'release'. There would generally

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5k7a9YEoUI

http://www.5min.com/Video/Scrum-in-under-10-minutes-244235609



20

be 4 releases in an architectural project, each divided into 4 Sprints, the last Sprint in each

release being Quality Control Review.

01 Programming

Sprint 1 - First Sketches, Initial Pass

Sprint 2 - Coordinated refinement

Sprint 3 - Redevelopment, Client

Approval

Sprint 4 - Re-Coordination, Defect

Log

Sprint 5 - Quality Control, Client

Approval

02 Schematic Design

Sprint 1 - First Sketches, Initial Pass



Approval


Log


Approval

03 Design Development

Sprint 1 - New Information



Approval


Log


Approval

04 Construction Documents

Sprint 1 - New Information



Approval


Log


Approval

05 Construction

etc....

06 Occupancy

etc....



21

Sprints

Here things diverge a bit. To be successful, a facility design must be iterated through multiple

times as information and coordination is refined. When he says that each sprint results in a

100% ready product, we would have to diverge and say that each sprint results in the

documentation of all the information available at the time. I would think that many backlog

items would be revisited several times in the project, perhaps even in different sprints of the

same phase.

Burndown Chart

Similar to how we currently watch project progress. The information-gathering technique he

describes at about 5:40 for collecting the data for the burndown chart is what I was describing

as built into the sheet schedule for the Revit file: As users re-define their time estimates per

sheet, the burndown rate can be projected and compared to the original estimate.

Defect Backlog

Code Issues, Client approval/input, etc. By keeping these items separate, we also have a tool

to show the owner what their actions do to impact project progress.

SCRUM is a management model that can help with projects that have common properties for

building design: One-of-a-kind solutions, created by many authors, collaborating on many

integrated tasks with difficult to measure progress.



22

Work Pairing

Like SCRUM, Work Pairing is another process borrowed from software development practices.

With work pairing, you can attempt to address the knowledge gap that occurs when bringing

BIM software into a traditionally CAD-oriented workflow. In Work pairing, an experienced

designer or engineer shares a single modeling computer with experienced BIM Operator.

Studies have shown that work pairing can produce the same amount of work, with fewer errors

than two people working separately.

There are many procedures and rules available on Work Pairing;

http://www.extremeprogramming.org/index.html is one of the most well-known.

In addition to the proven productivity advantages of pairing, you also create a situation where

your designers and engineers learn more about creating, maintaining and benefiting from the

model, and your modelers learn more about designing good systems and details rather than just

picking up redlines.

Project Hoteling

Provide project-based workspaces that users occupy for specific projects. Include in the project

hotel space the computers, and interactive equipment to best facilitate design and construction

conversations that include all disciplines, and consultants and contractors as well. This is an

excellent way to build up a SWAT team, and supports the interaction and collaboration needed

to succeed in BIM and/or Integrated delivery.

IPD?

The following are defined in the AIA's IPD Case Studies document as characteristics of an IPD

project

Required:

Early involvement of key participants

Shared Risk and reward

Multi-Party Contract

Collaborative Decision making and

control

Liability waivers among key

participants

Jointly developed and validated

project goals.

Desirable:

Mutual trust and respect among

participants

Collaborative innovation

Intensified early planning

Open communication within the

project team

Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Lean Principles of design,

construction and operations

Co-Location of teams

Transparent financials

Is your firm able to partake in IPD-style contracts? Join a project LLC? What about your

clients?

http://www.extremeprogramming.org/index.html

http://www.wordspy.com/words/hotelling.asp

http://info.aia.org/aia/ipdcasestudies.cfm



23

Discussion Topics

Contracts What tools are available to allow you to collaborate with clients and constructors in BIM?

Workflow / Process

What if we weren't architects/Engineers?

What would we do to guide the construction of a building? Why?

What tool or tools can we use to create this process?

How do we engage our teams with these tools, remove obstacles, encourage innovation?

How do we create this process and turn it into a culture?

How do we make change part of the process?

This is a big project that will take time. How do we make this a process that involves everyone

and leverages the experience and insight of all of the company, not just an edict to be issued?

People need to buy in, be involved and benefit during the process, not just after the design is

completed. We need to start change as part of the design.

Hardware How do you maintain hardware capable of running Revit and other applications? Are your CAD

workstations enough?

Collaboration & Roles How can you encourage the collaborative teaming that makes BIM modeling efficient? Project

team seating? Design Partner Co-location?

What new tasks must be managed in a BIM project and who will do them? Do you need a

Model Manager? What do they do?

Training Strategies Have you tried any of the strategies listed for Training staff? What works the best? How do you

get training provided Just In Time, so that the knowledge is available to the team when needed,

but not provided with too much time to forget before it’s needed.

Model-Based Estimation Budgeting: Can you build a burn down report within Revit? Would it help?

Cost Estimation: How might you integrate cost into the BIM process to everyone’s advantage?

Is it possible to put meaningful costs directly into the database? What else is required? Are you

liable for errors or omissions in quantity if you share takeoff values?



24

BIM Deliverables What new deliverables are possible when leveraging a BIM database? Will clients pay for

them? Which ones do you give away?

Renderings & Animations

Solar Studies

CFD analysis, Airflow and ambient

temperature simulations

Daylight analysis

Artificial and emergency lighting

studies

Code Compliance Analysis, Reports

Carbon Footprint calculations

Lifecycle Cost Analysis

Equipment and asset management

planning

Departmental and Facility function

planning and schedules

Occupancy and move plans and

schedules

Acoustical analysis

LEED compliance schedules

Construction change management

Model-Based QTO

Solar and wind advantage analysis

Clash Detection, 3D Shop drawings,

3D construction coordination

drawings

Bidding BID documents are generally the last remaining 2D, paper, information bottleneck in the building

process. What tools would bidders need to take advantage of the BIM database for more

accurate bids and planning? How can you provide access to this richer data without extra

liability? Can you write specification language to protect designers? Can you

Contractors Would a GC or CM be willing to collaborate on a model in the SD, DD or CD phases? What

could you gain by having them in the room as major design decisions are made? Who benefits

most from that value? Will they pay for it?

Scope, Model Management How do you define the scope of the model? This question is central to your ability to define

limits in liability, documentation delivery, and simply manage production budgets. What Options

are available? Does the AIA E202 & Model Progression Matrix provide sufficient definition?

What questions are left over?

Other We can all offer experiences relative to existing processes, change, and technology that may interest the group. What new techniques could you share? What accomplishments in reorganization or training would you like to brag on? What questions would you like to ask the others in the unconference?



25

Reference Material This Presentation includes multiple images from the web and from URS Corporation.

Research Links: The Discussion flow (zoom-effect) is generated by pptPlex, a free plug-in from Microsoft for

PowerPoint 2007 and 2010. It was a proof of concept project for Plex technology, or the

adaptive zoom effect now used in many handheld and portable devices like windows mobile and

the iphone. You can get your own pptPlex plug-in for free from

http://www.officelabs.com/pptplex

Process

SCRUM In Under 10 Minutes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5k7a9YEoUI

http://www.5min.com/Video/Scrum-in-under-10-minutes-244235609

Pair Programming: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pair_programming

http://www.extremeprogramming.org/rules/pair.html

IPD Case Studies: http://info.aia.org/aia/ipdcasestudies.cfm

http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/aia/documents/pdf/aiab082051.pdf

Industry BIM Standards

National BIM Standard http://www.facilityinformationcouncil.org/bim/

http://www.facilityinformationcouncil.org/bim/pdfs/NBIMSv1_p1.pdf

National CAD Standard http://www.buildingsmartalliance.org

http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/bim/BIMGuide/downloads/VA-BIM-Guide.pdf

AIA http://www.aia.org/ipdg

CIS/2 http://cic.nist.gov/vrml/cis2.html

COBIE http://www.wbdg.org/resources/cobie.php

IFC http://www.iai-tech.org/

Municipal

State of Wisconsin Wisconsin DSF BIM Guidelines and Standards

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/dsf/masterspec_view_new.asp?catid=61&locid=4

State of Texas Press Release and Contact

http://www.tfc.state.tx.us/communities/facilities/prog/construct/

Army Corps of Engineers https://cadbim.usace.army.mil/default.aspx

http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/channelView.do?pageTypeId=17109&channelId=-24291

GSA 3D-4D Building Information Modeling

http://www.officelabs.com/pptplex

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5k7a9YEoUI

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pair_programming

http://www.extremeprogramming.org/rules/pair.html

http://info.aia.org/aia/ipdcasestudies.cfm

http://www.facilityinformationcouncil.org/bim/

http://www.facilityinformationcouncil.org/bim/pdfs/NBIMSv1_p1.pdf

http://www.buildingsmartalliance.org/

http://www.aia.org/ipdg

http://cic.nist.gov/vrml/cis2.html

http://www.wbdg.org/resources/cobie.php

http://www.iai-tech.org/

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/dsf/masterspec_view_new.asp?catid=61&locid=4

http://www.tfc.state.tx.us/newsevents/texas-adopts-building-information-modeling-bim-capability

https://cadbim.usace.army.mil/default.aspx





26

Veterans Administration http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/bim/BIMGuide/lifecycle.htm

http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/bim/BIMGuide/downloads/VA-BIM-Guide.pdf

State of Ohio Framework Document

http://das.ohio.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=VD8N3VDCjno%3d&tabid=305

Higher Ed

Indiana University http://www.indiana.edu/~uao/iubim.html

Penn State university http://www.engr.psu.edu/ae/cic/bimex/procedure.aspx

San Diego CCD SD Community College District BIM Standards 1.0

http://public.sdccdprops-n.com/Design/SDCCD_BIM_Standards.pdf

Los Angeles CCD LA Community College District BIM Standards

http://standards.build-laccd.org/projects/dcs/pub/BIM%20Standards/released/BIM-001.html

Other Resources

SeaRUG http://www.searug.org/ (Active Revit Users’ Group)

NIBS: http://www.nibs.org/

Whole Building Design Guide: http://www.wbdg.org/index.php

Performative Design: http://www.andrewmarsh.com/

My BIM Blog Roll: http://bit.ly/aqs4RE

BIM Delicious Feed: http://feeds.delicious.com/v2/rss/janunson/BIM?count=60

Group Messages The following is an archive of class messages sent out prior to AU soliciting feedback,

suggestions and direction on the presentation.

Message 1: Thank you for Signing Up! 2010.11.15 Thanks for signing up for CM322-2U: ЯE:THINKing your firm into Revit. I’m looking forward to

an interesting discussion and I hope we can all learn from each other a little bit about the

changed landscape of building design and construction relative to technologies like BIM / Revit.

I’m posting some class materials on the AU site today, but I’d like to invite you to provide some

information for me that will help me guide our conversation toward the most appropriate topics

for our group. This is just a little background information on your current experience in

implementing BIM technologies and workflows.

Take the getting-to-know-you survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/97P5R7Q

http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/bim/BIMGuide/lifecycle.htm



http://www.indiana.edu/~uao/iubim.html

http://www.engr.psu.edu/ae/cic/bimex/procedure.aspx

http://public.sdccdprops-n.com/Design/SDCCD_BIM_Standards.pdf

http://standards.build-laccd.org/projects/dcs/pub/BIM%20Standards/released/BIM-001.html

http://www.searug.org/modules.php?name=Downloads&cid=21

http://www.nibs.org/

http://www.wbdg.org/index.php

http://www.andrewmarsh.com/

http://bit.ly/aqs4RE

http://feeds.delicious.com/v2/rss/janunson/BIM?count=60

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/97P5R7Q



27

All feedback will be anonymous; I’m just looking to make sure I target the best parts of this

conversation for our hour in Vegas.

Message 2: A Head-Start on the discussion 2010.11.17 Hi again. The course materials are available on the AU site. Thanks for still being signed up for

CM322-2U: ЯE:THINKing your firm into Revit, even after reviewing the posted materials. I’m

really looking forward to this unconference, and I hope we will all find it interesting. I’ve spent

the last few years having conversations with people on this topic, and I’ve not found that any

subject related to BIM workflow could be completely wrestled to the ground in less than 60

minutes. I know you’re busy with holidays and preparations for travel on top of your already

busy schedules, but if you have a few minutes, I think we can help ensure productive discussion

at AU by sharing our interests in this topic of discussion. There’s a lot of background

information and conversation topics in the packet. I think lots of material is good in a class

handout, but our one-hour conversation will need more focus. I’ve issued a second survey to

help us jump right into the discussion and focus on the parts that matter most. Please offer

your opinions to help guide the discussion once you’ve had a chance to review the Class

Information.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DTJ9X6H

I will update the information packet one more time before the conference, with results from the

survey questions included.

(The first survey was: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/97P5R7Q)

Thanks, and see you soon!

Message 3: Last Minute Information, See you in Vegas! 2010.11.23 Wishing everyone safe travels; See you in Las Vegas. If you can, please take a minute to fill in

the surveys prior to leaving. It will help make this session better!

What is our group’s background? http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/97P5R7Q)

What do you most want to discuss? http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DTJ9X6H

Message 4: Thank you for attending. 2011.03.04 Wow, Time flies after AU. I realize I’d promised everyone copies of the slides, and haven’t

delivered yet. It’s been on my list all this time! Really! Anyway, I’ve posted the rest of the class

materials for your use here. Thanks again for your time and input. I hope to see some of you

again in 2011.



