The CDE is a central repository of all project data. A CDE should allow teams to collaborate and

share data efficiently without misunderstanding, contradiction and loss of data. This can only

be achieved with reliable data management workflows.

INTRODUCTION

The usage of BIM is increasing across the construction industry. BIM is helping to improve col-

laboration and drive down costs in Government and privately funded projects across the globe.

BIM can be simplistically described as the creation and management of a 3D model that con-

tains digital information and data [1]. The status and reliability of data contained within a BIM

model is vitally important. Reliable data creates confidence. Confidence is key in encouraging

BIM uptake.

OBJECTIVES

1. Compare the flow of data through a traditional construction process against a BIM process.

2. Define a data management workflow for projects using BIM.

TRADITIONAL PROCESS - LEVEL 0/1 BIM

Flow of information between design teams is confused and iterative. Backtracking is com-

mon [2].

Designs and drawings are typically produced using a 2D CAD package.

Output and distribution of information is mostly through printed paper copies.

No central repository of project information. Accessing and finding relevant information can

be hard and time consuming.

Service clashes are easily missed. Costly to correct during construction.

Final handover consists of a printed package of drawings and documents. A larger project

will consist of thousands of drawings from a number of disciplines.

Non Graphical Information

Architects Model + Civil and

Structural Model + MEP Model

= Federated Model

Graphical Information

Construction Operation Building in-

formation exchange (COBie)

Archived

A record of all documentation at the end of

every project stage. Transaction and change

orders are also held here. This provides a ro-

bust audit trail and ensures confidence in the

reliability of data at stage handover.

Published (Contractual)

Authorised data. Suitable for stage comple-

tion acceptance or construction and fabrica-

tion.

Shared (Non-contractual)

Approved data. This data is shared with all

design teams and used to further design de-

velopment.

DATA MANAGEMENT WORKFLOW WITHIN THE CDE—BIM LEVEL 2

Work in Progress (WIP)

Unapproved data. Used by in house de-

sign teams. This data is not at a suffi-

cient level to be referenced.

Revision Code

A Revision Code should be assigned to

data based on the project stage, n.

1. Brief

2. Concept

3. Definition

4. Design

5. Build and Commission

6. Handover and Close Out

7. Operations and In-Use

Suitability Code

S1, Suitable for co-ordination. This file

is available to be ‘shared’ and used by

other disciplines as a background for in-

formation

S2, Suitable for information

S3, Suitable for review and comment

S4, Suitable for stage approval

S6, Issued for Project Information

Model (PIM) Authorisation

S7, Issued for Asset Information Model

(AIM) Authorisation

Suitability Code

S0, Initial Status or WIP

D1, Suitable for costing—use at

risk

D2, Suitable for tender—use at

risk

D3, Suitable for contractor de-

sign—use at risk

D4, Suitable for manufacture/

procurement—use at risk

Approved, Checked, re-

viewed and approved by de-

sign team

Authorised, This data has been au-

thorised by the client. Data may be

authorised with minor comments

Verified/Accepted, All documenta-

tion accepted at the end of project

stages. Forms audit trail.

Shared data is taken and

used to further develop de-

signs

Appointment of Contractor

and work package sub-

contractors

CDE

TRADITIONAL PROCESS BIM PROCESS COMMON DATA ENVIRONMENT (CDE)

BIM PROCESS - LEVEL 2 BIM

All the design teams are producing 3D project models. The separate discipline models are

merged together into a single federated model on a regular basis [2].

All project data is stored in a Central Data Environment (CDE). The CDE contains graphical

models and non-graphical data. The CDE is managed by an Information Manager.

All parties have access to the CDE. It is fast and easy to find project information. This in-

creases collaboration and speeds up the design process.

Data contained within the CDE is owned by the relevant author.

Having a single federated 3D model makes it easy to spot service clashes during the design

stage. Costly clashes during construction are avoided. This saves time and money.

If the client has confidence in the reliability of data contained within the CDE, it is possible

for a fully digital handover. It is common that a BIM process is being used for design and

construction, but the client is requesting a traditional printed package of drawings and doc-

uments. This is often due to a lack of confidence in the reliability of digital data.

CASE STUDY - ORDSALL CHORD

Ordsall Chord is a project to connect the two largest train stations in Manchester. A new pedes-

trian bridge was delivered to the client with a full digital handover. A site visit was undertaken

and a number of areas were identified that allowed a successful digital handover;

Gaining client trust through the use of a robust auditable data management process.

Status tracking of design and construction data.

Mark Hobbs | Michael Evans (Trimble)

Data Management Throughout the BIM Process

DATA MANAGEMENT ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

There is a risk of design information from one party being used by another party when the

status of that information is still subject to change. This creates issues of liability around po-

tentially abortive work [3].

The legal status of data must be defined using a standard procedure.

The suitability of data usage must be defined using a standard procedure.

Concerns have been raised about ownership of data once it is placed within the CDE.

The checking, approval and authorisation processes put in place will ensure that chang-

es of ownership are identified. REFERENCES

1. HM Government. Industrial strategy: government and industry in partnership - Building Information Model-ling. HM Government. [Online] [Cited: 28th October 2016.]https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/34710/12-1327-building-information-modelling.pdf. 2. National Building Specification (NBS). BIM Levels Explained. The National Building Specification. [Online] 1st No-vember 2014. [Cited: 25th October 2016.] https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/bim-levels-explained. 3. Robert Eadie, Tim McLernon and Adam Patton. An Investigation Into the Legal Issues Relating to Building Infor-mation Modelling (BIM). Sydney : The Construction, Building and Real Estate Research Conference of the Royal In-stitution of Chartered Surveyors, 2015. 4. British Standards Institute . PAS 1192-2:2013 Specification for information management for the capital/delivery phase of construction projects using building information modelling. s.l. : BSI Standards Limited, 2013. ISBN 978 0 580 82666 5. 5. British Standards Institute . BS 1192:2007+A2:2016 Collaborative production of architectural, engineering and construction information. Code of practice . s.l. : BSI Standards Limited, 2016. ISBN 978 0 580 92817 8.

Civil/Structural

Engineer

Architect

Client

MEP Engineer

Sub-

Contractors

Contractor

Civil/Structural

Engineer

Architect

Client

MEP Engineer

Sub-

Contractors

Contractor

A visual representation of data flow in a traditional construction process and a BIM Process. In the BIM pro-

cess all data is shared through the Common Data Environment (CDE)

The CDE is split into four sub-areas which represent the Status Level of Data; Work in Progress, Shared, Published and Archived. To move through the status levels, data must be Approved, Authorised and Accepted.

Data contained within the sub-areas is assigned a Suitability and Revision code [4] [5]. The suitability code determines what the data can be used for and is defined in BS1192:2007+A2:2016. Suitability ‘D’ is assigned

to data that has not been authorised by the client but can be used ‘at risk’ by the contractor for specific purposes. The revision code indicates the stage of the project.

Status Level of Data

Suitability and

Revision Code

KEY

Suitability Code

An, Approved and accepted at com-

pletion of project stage n

Bn, Partially signed off with minor

comments from the client. Com-

ment must be resolved and resub-

mitted for full authorisation

CR, As Constructed Record docu-

mentation