Pre-Conference notes on "Changing Times" and BIM
I am an architect and an I.T. professional specializing in Design Technology. I have worked in that capacity for an AE firm in Chicago for 13 years. (I don't think I have to reveal how long I practiced as an architect prior!) ;) "Changing Times" is a motif we have been talking about for a long time, especially with respect to BIM and IPD. We have seen the adoption and acceptance of BIM within and around our firm really pick up steam in the past year despite the economic downturn. We are using 3 flavors of Revit: Architecture, Structure and MEP.
Among many expectations I have for this conference is that we will hear a lot about increasing and improving collaboration, and the need for big changes in the distribution of risk and responsibility among the various players in the building industry. I am greatly interested in finding out where the industry is in that respect, as I get the feeling, from past and on-going discussions and conferences, that the obstacles and (justified) trepidations continue to rule the day.
In respect to successful implementation of BIM within a design firm, there are a few things I "know for sure" from our recent forays into project work. Good training and on-the-spot support are key. Support is needed, for figuring out the best way to do things with new software, and it is also for finding and developing content in a timely manner, so the work can get done quickly and efficiently. Without these, you will find yourself with disgruntled staff, productivity losses instead of gains, and the sinking feeling you are missing out on the best benefits of BIM and the "Changing Times".
Among many expectations I have for this conference is that we will hear a lot about increasing and improving collaboration, and the need for big changes in the distribution of risk and responsibility among the various players in the building industry. I am greatly interested in finding out where the industry is in that respect, as I get the feeling, from past and on-going discussions and conferences, that the obstacles and (justified) trepidations continue to rule the day.
In respect to successful implementation of BIM within a design firm, there are a few things I "know for sure" from our recent forays into project work. Good training and on-the-spot support are key. Support is needed, for figuring out the best way to do things with new software, and it is also for finding and developing content in a timely manner, so the work can get done quickly and efficiently. Without these, you will find yourself with disgruntled staff, productivity losses instead of gains, and the sinking feeling you are missing out on the best benefits of BIM and the "Changing Times".
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Thomas Bormann on -
The industry is changing fast. I travel to Europe every year and see the changes already. The push comes from the bottom up as well as from the top down - owners, facility managers and GC's see the huge benefit. And the architects adjust.
Implementation, as you say, isn't easy: I support offices here in the USA since 8 years in the implementation of BIM. Being on-site as the 'embedded expert' for the first, maybe even second project is very beneficiary. It helps the offices to adjust to the new workflow and gain confidence. It takes month (!) to realize, that it is not just a new software, but a new way of doing things. This new approach, the new way of thinking is the hardest part.
Collaboration is the next one: The market is very vendor oriented. Software giants fight for (holding their) market shares and don't really care about 'sharing' information (which means the BIM model and all it's hidden information) between each other. Here we have to step in and require (!) a common exchange platform/ interfaces, so our efforts are not lost or models have to be (more or less) re-built by every discipline.
I am an architect (GER) with 20 years in the business and model with ArchiCAD since 1997.
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