Things NOT TO DO in BIM implementation

Do not rush the results of applying BIM. Every new technology or workflow need some time to start giving an effective out. Do not raise your expectation so high at the beginning of using BIM as the team is still learning and figuring out the best practice.

When initiating BIM workflow it is mandatory to create BIM department with BIM specialist engineers who are dedicated to the BIM tasks. Other bad examples of let the technical team (ex: design team) do the BIM job beside their technical work is not achievable at all. You will find that the technical team will be busy with two different tasks and normally they will give the priority to the technical tasks and this again will lead to a bad BIM implementation.

While starting applying BIM in your company it is more logic to start with a core team, do not try to switch all the teams to BIM at once. Select (or hire) a small number of talented people who are willing to learn BIM, then start with one specific project (small to medium size) so the core team can apply the new strategy, concept & workflow and after it is settled done they shall transfer their knowledge to the rest of the team.

For any process, there should be a manager who is responsible of managing the work cycle. Assigning a BIM manager is mandatory for helping in implementing

BIM in the firm for all what related to establishing and following up the system.

When having a BIM manager you have to give him the authority to advise & change what is required in the old system so he can do the makeover of the BIM implementation, so don’t hire a BIM manager but let his hands are cuffed.

Players without a coach will not achieve the goal. Another bad example is to have a BIM members but without having a BIM manager\leader. Technical managers will not be experienced enough to follow up & evaluate the BIM tasks done by the BIM specialist and this will not fulfil the required successful BIM implementation.

Finally, the correct action is to implement BIM in your company but the more correct step is to implement it properly.

Mohamed Fawzy is a professional BIM oriented Engineer with about 13 years of extensive experience in using wide range of BIM software, conducting training and courses in Arabic\English speech. With a very good experience in how to make BIM implementation and adjusting the workflow and creating standards and libraries for engineering companies. Working in mega projects all over the Middle East (LOD 600) with different customers that lead to a good knowledge of different approaches of different companies.