BIM in Australia

BIM in Australia are we there yet?

In a series of articles, Rebecca De Cicco of Digital Node and Women in BIM discusses the level of BIM adoption on a global scale, starting with Australia.

At Digital Node, we like to take basis with no real consistency or clearly a pragmatic approach when it defined approach. comes to figuring out how to There are, however, some notable excepmeasure different approach- tions: some private sector clients are adoptes to BIM in different countries and the ing BIM as ‘business as usual’ and are results these achieve. implementing technology at faster rates

In the September / October edition of than in other regions, such as the UK. This AEC Magazine, I explored the impact of is an important point to make, since we are technology and BIM implementation pri- seeing beautifully detailed approaches to marily in the UK and considered how we BIM in a very technologically savvy way in need to address skills gaps to effectively Australia and in the US as well. enable the industry to grow. Lack of consistent terminology is

It’s time now to look a little further another challenge, evidenced in a lack of afield and understand the level of adop- understanding and correct use of terms. tion elsewhere. So This can also be over the next few observed in other issues, I’ll be looking About the author regions of the world. at a selection of coun- Australia needs to tries, examining their approach to BIM Rebecca De Cicco is the director and adopt an international approach towards adoption. And in this founder of BIM implementation, issue, I’ll be starting Digital Node, a in order to create with Australia. BIM-based con- opportunities for our Aussie rules BIM In Australia, it’s fair ing with clients all over the world to educate, manage and support the ultimately export our skills. A consistent to say that levels of implementation of a clearly defined pro- approach, using BIM adoption are cess, underpinned by technology. interoperable standvaried and disjoint- ards, will deliver ed. There is no con- huge benefits for our sistent approach to a measurement or digital built environment and economy. level of maturity, and this has driven both sultancy work- sector to grow and public and private sector clients to look to The level of government support the UK for support and guidance regard- The organisation of Australian governing processes. mental departments has also contributed

We have seen a range of industry docu- to this fragmented approach towards mentation that focuses on the way maturi- implementation. Each department has its ty can be measured, but this simply adds a own process and strategy, working in isolayer of confusion when there is no push lation from other departments. This from government for firms to comply. causes confusion in the supply chain,

We are also seeing that standards, such with companies left struggling to underas PAS1192-2 for example, are being used stand different approaches, processes as a basis for adoption by some public and information requirements for each sector clients. But, at the same time, the department and state. understanding of maturity (for example, Meanwhile, the BIM initiative we do BIM Level 2) is inconsistent. The private have in Australia is highly infrastructuresector, meanwhile, tends to implement driven, with transport and infrastructure BIM solutions on a project-by-project bodies coining the term ‘digital engineering’ to try and drive consistency.

However, without a federal initiative, it is almost impossible and such a move seems unlikely in the forseeable future. The only way to address this is to drive BIM and digital engineering in the sectors across Australia where the highest financial investment is seen, such as in Sydney and New South Wales.

The skills gap Skills gaps are varied too, yet the challenge in Australia lies mainly in the way BIM is seen and understood across the industry. There is still an idea that BIM is firstly, based on technology (or a piece of software), and secondly, a buildings-specific initiative.

There are very few BIM training organisations, yet there are strong technologydriven organisations driving BIM in isolation. The difference between Australia and the rest of the world, as we see it, is that we don’t have the culture to drive consistency across the whole sector, so even when it comes to training, there are a variety of methods and approaches to address the lack of skills.

We need to focus on process requirements rather than technology, as this is where the skills gaps predominantly lie. There is also a very inward-looking culture and, as much as Australia is a relatively young nation, many old-school processes and mentalities that hold us back.

The opportunities for the ANZ built environment community to upskill when it comes to BIM processes are huge, especially given that regions like China and Japan are also utilising British standards and processes. This could provide enormous opportunities for export and growth to regions closer to our shores. In fact, Australia could be a dominant force in BIM if only we take the initiative – and we need to ensure that we are working towards that vision now.