openbim focus issue1

8/13/2019 OpenBIM Focus Issue1

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OPEN BIM Focus Issue 1 - BIM and the OPEN BIM Network

1 OPEN BIM Network 2012Content must not be reproduced without written authorisation from the OPEN BIM Network.

Official Publication of the OPEN BIM Network

Issue 1 July 2 12BIM and the OPEN BIM Network

As the regular publication of the network, OPEN BIM Focus will feature all aspects of BIM including

theory, planning, implementation, mandatory requirements and case studies. Articles and features

will be written in a clear and concise style, without the use of unnecessary or unexplained jargon.

OPEN BIM Focus is aimed at intelligent professionals within construction and related industries at all

levels from the most senior to operator.

In this ISSUE

Is BIM Meeting the Need?

The OPEN BIM Network

BIM and Open BIM Explained


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Is BIM Meeting the Need?

Question 1

Which statement below represents the best interests of your business?

Question 2

In reality, which statement represents what is currently happening?

Since March 2012, these questions have been put to over 500 businesses1. Not surprisingly, 100%

went for Statement A for Question 1. Of those who have experienced any aspect of BIM

deployment, over 90% chose Statement B for Question 2.

These responses back up concerns within the industry that the implementation of BIM is being

driven by vendor capability and NOT by individual business needs.

When asked to identify potential problems in adopting BIM, 200 SMEs2 in the London area, the

feedback went further, with fears expressed that being expected to use several different technology

solutions, dictated by clients and contractors at the head of the supply chain, will effectively prevent

them competing, due to the costs of purchasing multiple softwares and related training.

Clearly, not an ideal situation in a

rapidly changing market that is drivingbusinesses towards new ways of

working. At best financial pressures will

increase and at worst change will be

stopped in its tracks.

1

Either individually or at workshops and seminars.2Who received workshop support via the ERDF funded FLASH Programme.

Statement A:

BIM is a business process from

which you can select technology

that best meets your needs.

Statement B:

BIM is a technology that

determines your business process

based upon the vendors

capability.


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To find out more, including how to join, visit:

www.o enbimnetwork.com

The OPEN BIM Networkis a UK based independent, open

and non-product specific group facilitated by Constructing

Excellence.

The primary function of the OPEN BIM Network is to inform

industry about Open BIM, what it means, why it is

increasingly becoming the global solution of choice, how it

can be done and what, collectively, industry can do to

accelerate its adoption.

As a member of the OPEN BIM Network you will be able to demonstrate support for a common

platform and show commitment to collaborative design and engagement.

The OPEN BIM Network is open to all stakeholders including clients, consultants, designers,

contractors, vendors and operators of assets providing that they meet the simple criteria of

endorsing OPEN BIM as the internationally accepted standard for collaboration.

OPEN BIM Network OBJECTIVES

Represent the views of the international OPEN BIM Programme in the UK

Engage with the UK Construction Industry as the neutral voice of opencommunication process and protocols

Support the UK government client strategy

Represent the views of its members to industry and government

Inform the industry of Open BIM process/technology developments and

applications

Offer non-proprietary implementation guidance

Work with academia on the development of Open BIM education

OPEN BIM Network Activities

Communicate and promote the activities of the network to the wider industry via

media articles, advertising, partners and members.

Write and distribute a regular newsletter containing application features and case

studies

Deliver regular informative seminars throughout the UK, with specific focus of Open

BIM in practice eg live demonstration of vendor interoperability

Provide media for members information exchange e.g. web site/forums,

conferences

Act as a conduit for the delivery of accredited industry courses

OPEN BIM is a global initiative of

buildingSMART International and

leading software vendors. Open BIM

is a universal approach to the

collaborative design, realisation and

operation of buildings based on open

standards and workflows. It utilises

the open buildingSMART Data

Model.
http://www.openbimnetwork.com/http://www.openbimnetwork.com/http://www.openbimnetwork.com/


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BIM and Open BIM Explained

What is BIM?

OPEN BIM Focus uses thedefinition of BIM officially adopted

by buildingSMART International,

Constructing Excellence, the OPEN

BIM Network and a growing

number of individual businesses.

The key to understanding this

definition is that the process is

sequential. Defining the business

process is the first step this will

enable the creation of ameaningful model from which

efficient management of the

process or project can be

undertaken.

Following this sequence will

ensure that an environment where

all stakeholders will have access to

the information they need when

they need it is created. Singly the

most important asset of BIM.

What communication protocol does BIM need to succeed?

BIM is essentially a means of sharing information. It therefore needs a means of sharing, which in

turn needs a:

Common language

Platform to communicate the common language

Willingness to communicate the common language

The common language and the platform are simply technology that already exists. The

willingness to communicate is rather more complex. It necessitates a willingness to share

information in an environment of total trust. Not something that is prevalent in current practice.

BIM is an acronym which represents three

separate but consecutive functions:

BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING - Is a BUSINESS

PROCESS for generating and leveraging building data to design,

construct and operate the building during its lifecycle. BIM

allows all stakeholders to have access to the same information

at the same time through interoperability between technology

platforms.

BUILDING INFORMATION MODEL - Is the OUTPUT OF THE

BUSINESS PROCESS resulting in a virtual computer model of a

project which holds selected structured data about the asset

(design, quantity, time, cost, as built etc).

BUILDING INFORMATION MANAGEMENT - Is the

ORGANISATION & CONTROL OF THE BUSINESS PROCESS by

utilising the information in the digital prototype to effect the

sharing of information over the entire lifecycle of an asset. The

benefits include centralised and visual communication, early

exploration of options, sustainability, efficient design,

integration of disciplines, site control, as built documentation,

etc. effectively developing an asset lifecycle process and

model from conception to final retirement.


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Three Ways to Apply Communication Platforms

There are three ways that BIM can be applied, Bespoke, Single (Closed) and Common (Open). These

concepts can be clarified using United Nations communications as an example.

The United Nations has one hundred and ninety two member states, between them speaking inexcess of fifty languages. To function, it is essential that everyone can understand what others are

saying. Logically, there are three ways to achieve this:

1. Bespoke

Everyone learns everyone elses

language.

With four languages, this would be

difficult, but potentially feasible. If

this were extended to the six officiallanguages in common use at the UN,

it is unlikely. Expanding it to cover

the fifty plus sovereign languages,

would prove to be impossible.

In software terms, this would require

a dedicated protocol to translate data

between the numerous platforms

used on a typical project AND ensure

that these were updated every time a

new software version was released.

Not a viable option.

2. Single platform (Closed BIM)

Everyone, bar one, has to change their

language.

Another option would be to scrap

language versions and force alldelegates to speak one language.

Politically this would be both

unacceptable and impossible.

In software terms, this means that one

vendor would dominate and impose its

particular language and functionality

on all project stakeholders. With over

one hundred BIM tools in the market,

this route is totally impractical.


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3. Common Platform (Open BIM)

Everyone uses their own language with a common interpreter.

The third approach requires no

change for delegates they each

speak their own language and this is

directed to a common pool that

translates the spoken word into each

delegates native tongue. This is the

way the United Nations actually

works.

In software terms, this means that

stakeholders use tools of choice andinformation is translated into a

common format that can be

exported to and imported from, any

other tool of choice. Obviously, this

is the best solution, requiring little or

no change for users.

The Open BIM Solution

Fortuitously for the construction industry, a

common international translator already exists and

it is free at the point of delivery. Industry

Foundation Classes (IFC) is

the international protocol

developed by

buildingSMART. It is

supported by every leading

CAD vendor and

increasingly, by an ever

growing body of non CAD

vendors who supply the wide range of software in

current use (including, planning, cost, PM, FM and

back office).

Why is it important?

Open BIM supports a transparent, open workflow, allowing project members to participate

regardless of the software tools they use.

Open BIM creates a common language for widely referenced processes, allowing industry

and government to procure projects in transparent commercial engagement, comparable

service evaluation and assured data quality.

Open BIM provides enduring project data for use throughout the asset life-cycle, avoiding

multiple input of the same data and consequential errors.

What is Open BIM?

buildingSMART defines Open BIM as:

a universal approach to the collaborative

design, realisation and operation of buildings

based on open standards and workflows.

Open BIM is an initiative of buildingSMART

International and several leading software

vendors using the open buildingSMART Data

Model.


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Open BIM enables small and large (platform) software vendors to participate and compete

on system independent, best of breed solutions.

Open BIM incorporates product supply, enabling product data to be imported directly into

the model.

Why will Open BIM succeed?

Best in Class, Fit for Purpose

With such a vast array of software products on the market, it is impossible to accept that any one

vendor can produce the best solution to all problems. One open communication protocol means

that products can be selected on their capability and not their source.

Competition

The software market is under continuous development and vendors are always looking to improve

performance, scope and deliverables. In an open market, this will continue unabated as the quest

for competitive advantage is the primary goal.

ApplicationIn a major construction project, there are likely to be a significant number of stakeholders using a

variety of software tools. It makes absolute business sense that each stakeholder can use their tools

of choice providing it can exchange data with others. Only if a particular tool set does not have this

communication capability should pressure be bought to change.

Why Open BIM now?

In May 2011 the UK Government launched its Construction Strategy essentially setting out a series

of strategic objectives that aim to reduce construction costs. This strategy necessitates a paradigm

shift in the way industry thinks and acts.

The actions necessary

to raise BIM capability

across the construction

industry and establish

an acceptable level of

competence, thereby

enabling all to realise

the benefits of this

process, were laid

down in BIM

Management for value, cost & carbon improvement. A report for the Government Construction

Client Group. Building Information (BIM) Working Party. Strategy Paper. March 2011. The

document details the Bew - Richards BIM Maturity Wedge, to illustrate BIM adoption in terms of

maturity levels. The target is for all to reach Level 2 by 2016. However, the next step (Level 3), is

referred to in the strategy paper (page 61), as Our final vision for the delivery of this information...


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fully web enabled transparent (to the user) scenario, based on the Building Smart IFC3/IDM

4and IFD

standards.

What is very clear is that

businesses should consider

preparing for the OPEN BIM

requirements of Level 3 now

whatever stage of

deployment they are at. If

not, progression to Level 3

may require another major

change in business process.

3The IFC format is registered by ISO as ISO/PAS 16739 and is in the process of becoming an official International Standard

ISO/IS 16739.4IDM and IFD are international standards intended to cover process and naming they are sub sets of IFC and currently

under development.

SUMMARY

BIM is a business process that enables all stakeholders

access to the information they need when they need it.

To deploy BIM successfully, a means to exchange data

between software tools has to be found.

IFC already exists as a free at the point of issue data

exchange protocol.

It is currently the only viable means of universal data

exchange that works.

There are a number of compelling reasons why it willsucceed.

It is central to the governments final vision for the delivery

of data.


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Next IssueOPEN BIM Focus will feature detailed

feedback from industry, including benefits

and barriers of BIM implementation.

Sponsors

If you are interested in sponsoring orcontributing to OPEN BIM Focus,

please send an email to:

[email protected].
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

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