NOTES FROM THE FIELD:

What BIM Means to the Construction ProcessINNOVATE MAGAZINE NUMBER FIFTEEN 201338

Building information modeling (BIM) is a powerful process usedin today’s construction. Modern hardware and software give us the opportunity to review drawings from offices, construction sites and even airports. The information in a BIM model facilitates understand-ing the intent of the design team and communication with the contractor and specialty trades.

Designing and building is a complex process that requires a tremen-dous amount of collaboration, dedication and hard work. Using the BIM process of gathering the right data at the right time and giving it to the right people can be very challenging. These days, accessing information is so easy that there is always the possibility of having too much information. There is the misconception that you “just push a button” and the model will give you the answers you need. In reality, it’s much more complicated. We need to maintain certain controls during the process. We also need team members with excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think two-dimen-sionally on paper, then three-dimensionally in the BIM model and, finally, into the real world of a building under construction.

Contributor: Kirk Krueger, AIA, CCCA, LEED Green Associate

Principal, Director of Construction Services, HKS Inc.

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Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

We all are familiar with the acronym GIGO: garbage in, garbage out. BIM is no exception. Everyone in the design process needs to be careful about the infor-mation put into the BIM model. Once information is in the model, it can stay there for the life of a project and potentially can create confusion and more work later. It’s important that the data is as accurate as possible and is maintained as changes are made.

Upstream, Downstream

Design teams also must be aware that the informa-tion they input to the model is used by other team members, both upstream and downstream, to make decisions. A subcontractor can use a design team’s model to develop a solution based on what they glean from the model. If the information they are using is conceptual or is input only as a placeholder, it’s easy to see how the information can become compromised and lead to incorrect decisions.

Timing is Everything

Along with accurate and up-to-date information, the point at which information is added to the model is

just as important. If it’s entered too early, the informa-tion may become stale or irrelevant. For example, you do not want to input information pertaining to interior finishes when the building is still in concep-tual design. However, if the information is entered too late, well, it’s just too late and critical pieces are not available for others to make timely decisions.

Man vs. Machine

The BIM model is designed as a communication tool with the contractor and subcontractors to coordinate the project on site. The team must be perceptive enough to recognize parts of the model that have not been thought through by human intelligence ver-sus what has been inserted as placeholder informa-tion by the software. As Ronald Reagan said, “Trust, but verify.” Those are words to live by during the entire design and construction process.

Continual improvements to BIM and future software will allow even better communication and coordi-nation. Our HKS construction administrators are equipped with digital tablets, giving them immedi-ate access to plans, specifications, RFIs, submittals, project logs, schedules and other pertinent informa-tion on the construction site. Having digital “real-time” connectivity reduces response time to drawing

KIRK KRUEGER:Lessons I learned using BIM during the construction process

changes, field modifications and distribution of information to all team members.

Many job-site offices are now equipped with advanced equipment and technology that enable the project model to reside at the site for use in clash detection, multidiscipline team coordination, draw-ing modifications and schedule refinement. These advancements in technology also make it possible for portions of the design model to be sent directly from the design team to fabricators for pric-ing, coordination and production. This is already hap-pening for the fabrication of repetitious items that allow construction off-site in controlled conditions, resulting in better quality, efficiency and delivery.

It’s All About the People

The construction site is a very dynamic place to be. New processes and tools such as BIM and Revit are making big strides in how the process occurs for the first conceptual thought and continuing through the lifespan of the building. We need to remember that BIM does not solve all construction coordination issues; however, people, collaborative teamwork and the advantages of BIM help us create an open and transparent process for team members to design and build successful projects.

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