13 minute read
BIM education
Education is our passport to the future
Before spending time and money on software and associated training, companies must understand as an organisation what it is that their information can do if prepared in the right way.
by Paul Woddy
The volume of Building Information Modelling (BIM)related rhetoric has turned many people off the subject before they have effectively begun. It will be the true mark of maturity in the industry when BIM ceases to be a subject at all, but simply a factor in everyday life. So at the risk of offering yet another opinion on BIM adoption, I would like to raise a few points for consideration. Question: What is the shape of education in the AEC industry today? What do we even mean by this question? Different people will interpret this in different ways, depending on their expectation of an outcome.
I spend my working life in the education arena, from 12-year-old school children working towards a GCSE in design and construction; through colleges and universities blending new technology and methodology into their existing courses; professional training centres offering software training; design practices upskilling their staff; SMEs scrabbling to understand the changing requirements; contractors maintaining their mandatory staff training. I see different challenges emerging in each of these sectors, but I also see common problems that need to be overcome.
I have recently heard several debates on
About the author
Paul Woddy is technical director of White Frog Publishing Ltd. White Frog specialises in the strategic planning and delivery of BIM education.
whether we are ready for the UK 2016 BIM adoption deadline, and read surveys seeking to understand how widespread is the adoption of BIM methodology, but I find myself wondering if these questions are being correctly phrased to get to the hub of the issues we face?
So what are these issues? Well in my opinion, we have to settle a number of problems before we can really progress towards the utopian advantages that we have been promised. We have a developing set of standards and protocols, which are struggling to keep pace with changes in technology and best practice Technology without theory is only half the story The education focus needs to shift onto clients and asset managers Mainstream education needs to provide graduates with the skills sought by employers. CDE? What about FGH? There are currently eight core competencies which form the foundation of Level 2 BIM adoption. Those documents outline the various processes that must be followed if we are to comply. The development of new standards and guidance on applying the existing set are emerging in a fairly regular flow, and it is fair to say that some of the existing set will need to be adapted before we are finished.
What seems like a solid cornerstone one day is undermined by new developments the next. BS1192 Common Data Environment for instance has stood design teams in good stead for nearly a decade, but as we look to accommodate a longer data life by providing appropriate electronic information to clients and facility managers, then we will need to adapt the current model where the ultimate aim is to archive information.
On a number of occasions, I have been asked to look at exemplar models provided by a client or contractor that show how they want their BIM data to be delivered, only to find that the models are simply that: 3D models with no information what-so-ever.
This problem is endemic and is something that most surveys and industry reports fail to pick-up, not because anyone is lying, but because they do not realise that what they are delivering is not BIM.
If you ask a hundred leading architectural practices in the UK if they ‘use
‘‘ BIM adoption has thus far been led by designers and this has somewhat tainted
BIM’, you will probably get the subsequent roll-out as other maintenance of buildings than eighty-five positive responses, stakeholders have looked to feed into or is the current reality. but for many, this means that they can use BIM-ready soft- out from this core of activity There is a dauntingly steep learning curve if you are just ware (such as Revit or ArchiCAD) to produce 3D ’’ starting out on this road to BIM-readiness, especially as models of designs, to be used for clash- ples of the core subjects, but also the prac- the goalposts are still moving, but the key detection and drawing production. tical skills which make them useful in a to being prepared in any organisation is to
This problem partly stems from people modern workplace. The notion that a have a robust, long-term strategy for being taught how to use a piece of soft- recent graduate of architecture requires knowledge development. ware, rather than how to adopt BIM meth- training before they can be employable is A software training course might proodology using the available software tools. a difficult position to defend, and yet it is vide a short-term fix to an individual an all-too-common scenario. requirement, but if you are going to change The blind leading the blind Here at White Frog we are privileged to the way in which you process information Another factor tht exacerbates this issue is work with Class Of Your Own, a revolu- and prepare your deliverables for sustainthat the client looks to these practices to tionary not-for-profit organisation that able long-term use, then you need to fully guide them through BIM, giving them a provides secondary schools and colleges understand the context within which the false impression of the purpose, in turn with the equivalent of GCSE and A-Level software would be used. leading to lacklustre benefits and ambiva- qualifications in Design, Engineering and BIM adoption has thus far been led by lence towards progressing faster. Construction (DEC). Most importantly for designers and this has somewhat tainted
If we focus on getting the clients and the the future of our industry, it opens chil- the subsequent roll-out as other stakeasset managers asking the right questions, dren’s eyes to realise that there are more holders have looked to feed into or out and demanding deliverables which are career options in this field than architect from this core of activity. The reality is that truly fit-for-purpose in the long-term, then and brick layer. for many within the wider construction the designers will need to sharpen their What is most interesting about the work and asset management supply chain, BIM skills and realise what they are missing. we do as official training partner is to see will in future, have a very different look
I firmly believe that BIM will only deliv- that when we describe the process of BIM, and feel. er on its potential once facility managers children understand immediately and do Before spending time and money on start to embrace it, and this can only hap- not comprehend why you would do things software and associated training, compapen once they see what they can do with any differently. Their exposure to the vir- nies must understand as an organisation rich, embedded data in a federated model. tual worlds of graphical computer games, what it is that their information can do if
Colleges and universities have their part and their 24-hour digital interaction prepared in the right way, and also what to play as well, by keeping pace with devel- through social media mean that they advances could be made if they received opments in practice and providing stu- assume a far greater technological sophis- data from others in an ideal format. dents, not only with the timeless princi- tication in the design, construction and ■ whitefrog.com
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Clients: the hidden partner in BIM
We cannot allow inequalities in the understanding of BIM to hamper progress, or impede the industry and its clients alike from enjoying the benefits of BIM, writes Michael McCullen, Chairman, Sitedesk
Those working within the design and construction space are becoming increasingly comfortable with Building Information Modelling (BIM). Having worked for some years towards the inevitability of mandated BIM on their public projects they are in quite good shape now that we are on the final approach to 2016.
It is easy to forget that within the client base there are many for whom BIM is less clear. They face challenges: not only in initiating BIM-based projects, but in managing them throughout the process. For the local government officer, for example, the prospect of organising tenders for a BIM-enabled project can seem daunting.
BIM is only mandatory for centrallyfunded public building projects and local government adoption has been less universal and slower than in some other areas. When initiating a school, council homes or landscaping development the use of BIM requires a concrete decision — but to move it forward effectively can be challenging.
Many council designers, architects and project managers will be somewhat familiar with the concept of BIM, but it is not always the case across the organisation — and sometimes the familiarity may be more in theory than in practice.
For a department head whose main role is in the day-to-day administration of a local service, the deeper processes, nuances and lexicon of BIM can seem complex.
It may not be until they have to push forward procurement for a BIM project, co-ordinate it, wrangle collaboration from unwilling parties, or assure someone that using BIM will generate useful asset
About the author
Michael McCullen, Chairman, Sitedesk An accomplished CEO and software entrepreneur with over 30 years’ industry experience, 24 of these involved in international business. Previously a director and divisional CEO of AIM-listed Eleco plc with strategic, operational and P&L responsibility for its international group of software businesses.
information that this problem arises. Assessing and making decisions between tenders may be difficult if the tendering suppliers take a level of BIM knowledge for granted — or, worse, take advantage of a client’s lack of knowledge.
The onus is on the construction industry as to how it interfaces with clients who are either unfamiliar with BIM or have unrealistic expectations about what it can deliver.
Unfortunately it is inevitable that some will rely on, or even seek to leverage, the poor knowledge of a client to dictate what BIM is or how it will be used for the project. Both a sense of responsibility and some smart thinking about how to work effectively together are required; this starts by establishing a shared understanding for each project about the practical benefits that BIM will deliver.
Contractors should be mindful that BIM experience may vary, especially when responding to tender notices for projects that are not centrally-funded. As projects move forward it is critical to embrace the client fully into the collaborative process. They will, after all, be the only constant through the full building lifecycle: not just during the design and build stages but post-handover when all other parties have moved on. Clients should take a more active interest in ensuring best BIM outcomes by being involved in decisions about technology and process, rather than simply delegating these decisions to suppliers.
Construction partners can encourage and support this process. One way is to ensure that platforms are in place to deliver transparency and visibility to the client throughout the process — and that is more than simply assuring a client that a 3D viewer is available for their project. Today the choice of collaboration platforms is wider than simply offering viewers and mark-up tools. Ideally the client will find it easy and intuitive to communicate across the team and respond to design changes which can then, just as easily, be shared with contractors and site-workers.
The BIM information flow must be multi-way and visible to all in order to reap the benefits of collaboration. Suppliers can help make clients more aware of available tools, while clients can arm themselves with more information about the types of systems available and what these can do in practical terms to help assure success.
The rich asset information that starts with 3D design and builds throughout the construction process is one of the key outputs of BIM — but the ease of managing that information growth depends on the choice of an appropriate system for capturing and storing data.
BIM was conceived for greater industry cost-efficiency and sustainability in the longer term, not only for the construction
phase of projects. BIM aims to generate evant asset data is captured and auditable information, in as neat and organised a not just an integrated 3D-enabled design with full accountability for all parties format as possible — not hurriedly gathand build process but a long-term data- involved. This is vital in a public sector ered up at the last minute. base of information to support the full that is under intense scrutiny; it is also a BIM is ultimately about delivering benbuilding lifecycle. desire shared by an industry that is noto- efits to the client, to ensure the best
It provides access to a huge volume of riously prone to dispute. Construction design and construction outcomes, at the data about installed equipment, engi- suppliers can help the client, and them- right cost and quality, in the desired timeneered systems for every frame. A good BIM project aspect of the building’s operation, records about asset location and mainte- A good BIM ‘‘ project will provide an asset will do much more. It will provide an asset information model to ensure cost-effective nance requirements and much, much more. It must information model to ensure cost-effective maintenance regimes can be developed, securing far greatbe organised and accessi- maintenance regimes can be developed, er cost efficiencies during the ble from day one of opera tions. When handing a com securing far greater cost the lifetime operation of efficiencies during an asset than those lifetime operation of an asset than those achieved during its construction. pleted project over to its achieved during its construction Doing so will require future owner this data increasing transparency and must be transferred electronically — either by a ’’ smarter information management from the very start of direct exchange between systems or using selves, by capturing deep information as every project until it is in the hands of its an industry standard schema like COBie they go along — including design chang- eventual owner and user. We cannot — thus emphasising the importance of es, clash resolution activities and records allow inequalities in the understanding ensuring that a system is place to capture of compliance. of BIM to hamper progress, or impede the the right information from the start. Clients need the as-built asset informa- industry and its clients alike from enjoy-
Clients are concerned not only about tion model to hand over to the FM team ing the benefits of BIM. BIM compliance but ensuring that all rel- and future occupants, as well as O&M ■ sitedeskconstruct.com
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Plowman Craven is proud founding member of BIMnet, bringing together key players in the Building Information Modelling industry. Our 3D laser scanning expertise allows us to deliver fast and accurate survey information in a BIM-ready model. Our BIM team is highly experienced within the construction and design industry, and our BIM models create a rich database of information enabling the platform for a project’s success. As a Revit Technician you will take responsibility for leading and delivering BIM-related aspects of the Company’s wide range of BIM projects, ensuring that the most appropriate modelling workflow, techniques, and software are utilised. You will produce 3D BIM-ready models from point cloud data, and will work proactively with external suppliers to ensure every project is executed in the most effective way. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working with Revit Architecture, and a passion for BIM. Knowledge of BIM software such as AECOSim and Navisworks and experience of working with point cloud data would be a bonus. An architectural related degree/qualification is advantageous but not essential to the role.
For more information and to apply, please visit our recruitment page at www.plowmancraven.co.uk, or call +44 (0) 1582 765566 to speak with a member of the HR team.
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