In previous posts on the Gov Design Hub, we’ve discussed how BIM solutions haven’t seen the wide adoption in the public sector that they have in the private sector. However, we’ve also seen studies dictating that BIM adoption is poised for explosive growth across all areas of government.
If your agency or organization is one of the ones thinking of moving to BIM for your infrastructure projects you’re probably wondering where to start. The good news is you are more BIM-ready than you thought. In fact, it may take more time than you think – although it won’t happen overnight.
BIM solution provider, Autodesk, recently released an eBook entitled, “10 Steps to BIM for Infrastructure,” that could be a helpful resource as you make your move towards utilizing BIM within the organization. In this eBook, they provide 10 steps that can teach you how to put your team on the path to a successful BIM adoption.
Here are the first five of the 10 steps from the eBook to help chart your adoption of BIM for infrastructure. If you’d like to read more, click HERE to download the original.
Get to know BIM
The first step is to designate one or two people at your organization to learn more about BIM and how it will affect the way your team works. This means focusing not just on software and any preconceptions that BIM is just about 3D visualization, but on process. Talk to peers who already use BIM. Ask them how it’s changed their workflows, what surprised them about the process, where are they seeing the most benefits, and what advice they’d give you as you transition to BIM.
Communicate the change to your people
Stress that BIM isn’t a choice or something that you’re just trying out. Make it clear, from the top, that you’re moving to BIM because it’s critical to your mission and your future. Then help your team look beyond the mandate to what’s in it for them. Discuss how BIM can help save time on critical tasks, improve collaboration, facilitate data reuse, and so on.
Account for software and hardware needs
As discussed, BIM isn’t software – it’s a process. As such, an end-to-end BIM process requires implementing more than just one software solution. For example, your core BIM application should connect to the application used to rapidly create concepts that capture existing conditions. Your hardware also needs to be powerful enough to run BIM applications quickly.
Plan your shift
The steps outlined here can help with change management, but your wider plan needs to address your way of working and typical projects you encounter. How will BIM change your current workflows? Who needs training and when will they get it? How will you support teams who have questions and issues?
It’s useful to designate a BIM champion or two who can undertake in-depth training and become a go-to resource for everyone else.
Document standards
Because every object in BIM is intelligent – meaning it contains information about itself and how it should relate to other objects in your design – standards are essential. BIM standards define what objects “know” about themselves and need to be established for everything you do. Don’t be daunted, there are ways to accelerate the process. Pre-existing libraries of BIM standards exist (such as those provided by the National BIM Standard in the U.S and others) – just select the standards closest to what you use today and then have your BIM champions modify and adapt them.
