Level 2 BIM and Lead Designer Responsibility

First of all, I am quite pleased to hear that NBS team has won to finish the missing pieces in level 2 BIM puzzle. Well done team NBS. Many congratulations.

1. Digital Plan of Works
2. A unified classification system

Link to the official NBS article.

Personally, I genuinely believe that these two pieces of Level 2 BIM are deal breakers in many ways to realise our Level 2 BIM dream.

I am looking forward to learn more about DPoW tomorrow at "BIM Through Plan of Works" event.

However, just focusing on Level 2 BIM and lead designer's responsibility in terms of design coordination, the following extracts from PAS1192-2:2013 and BIM Protocol summarise it all.

Design coordination through BIM can only be the most effective/efficient if lead designers (and main contractors post novation) start using BIM as a way of coordinating design as per PAS1192-2:2013 section 9.4.

Image Courtesy: PAS1192-2:2013

Image: An extract from CIC BIM Protocol

Trimble acuires Gehry Technologies

Back in 2012 Trimble announced strategic alliance with Bently. Two years later, Trimble makes another big step forward into AECO BIM world and acquires Los Angeles based one of the best design and project management solutions providers; Gehry Technologies.

This is going to be a game changer in terms of construction and operation BIMs.

"The alliance combines deep Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry experience with advanced construction technology to empower visionary designers such as Gehry Partners to build groundbreaking projects on time, under budget and without change orders—enabling designers, builders and operators to collaborate more efficiently."

FULL ARTICLE

BIM Process

This is what I believe about it.

Simplifying UK Level 2 BIM

BIM is getting more and more ambiguous/complex for clients, for trades, for designers, for contractors etc.

Is it because the UK BIM industry makes it sound more complex or is BIM that complex in reality? 

Personally, I dont believe that UK Level 2 BIM is complex at all. The government has done a great job articulating Level 2 BIM through PAS1192-2, PAS1192-3, COBie-UK-2012 (BS1192-4 Draft), CIC BIM documents. I genuinely like those standards and try and put them in practice in my daily work life except one thing! Those of you who know me knows very well what I am referring to here!-;) That is because I yet have to see the true value of that thing for our design team, for our trades team and for our construction team and have to see the true value for clients even! I am not saying there is no value but in it but I yet have to see the value for the entire project team.

Sometimes I struggle with putting these UK BIM standards in practice with the designers whereas to my surprise most of the trades embrace them with two hands. 

Education, education, education!

As per the above UK BIM standards, UK Level 2 BIM means we target the following (particularly on publicly procure jobs); bearing in mind that BIM is for information only and 2D documents are contractual deliverables for procurement and construction:

BIM during design phase (RIBA 1-4)

1. Use 3D BIM to author 2D design documentation (up to LOMD as per PAS1192-2)

2. Use 3D BIM to coordinate design (using 3D federated/combined model)

3. Use 3D BIM to review design (using 3D federated/combined model)

4. Use 3D BIM to generate COBie drops 1 to 2b (Information exchange)

BIM during construction phase (RIBA 5)

5. Continue using 3D BIM to coordinate trades design with the design intent

6. Use 3D BIM to author trades' 2D design documentation (up to LOMD as per PAS1192-2)

7. Use 3D BIM to generate COBie drop 3 (information exchange)

BIM during handover/practical completion (RIBA 6)

8. Federated 3D BIM model (ideally in IFC) and Native 3D BIM models

9. COBie drop 4 spreadsheet (Information exchange)

10. 2D PDFs, O&M files etc

From what I understand, the underlying principle of UK Level 2 BIM is to mitigate design and construction risks using 3D BIM; therefore save 20% cost in capex as per the UK BIM strategy.

If this is Level 2 BIM then isn't this as simple as eating a piece of a cake? 

What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. 

 

Starting With Lend Lease UK

I am pleased to announce publicly that I have joined Lend Lease UK as their Head of BIM.

I look forward to collaborating with Lend Lease supply chain (designers, sub-contractors, and BIM consultants) in terms of BIM based project delivery.

End of Brookfield Multiplex Journey

As some of you (#UKBIMCrew) have already heard I have stepped down from my role at Brookfield Multiplex.

It's been a great time at Brookfield Multiplex working  on some of the most complex and quite challenging projects.

I have been fortunate enough to work with some of the best construction professionals, leaders, and team mates during my time at Brookfield Multiplex. I was also privileged enough to engage with some of the best supply chain partners (designers as well as sub contractors) during my time with regards to collaborative BIM.

I thank Brookfield Multiplex for giving me amazing opportunities during my time. I have gained invaluable experience in terms of implementing BIM at the business level at such a large organization as well as integrating people at all levels. I wish everyone at Brookfield Multiplex and people I have worked with through Brookfield Multiplex all the very best.

BIM Implementation - Culture Change and Integration

BIM presents a major change in the way we design, document, construct and operate assets. Looking at the current trend of BIM adoption at workplaces and educational institutes, two distinct work forces are emerging and will continue in the foreseeable future

(1) Digital technology savvy young workforce with culturally diverse multi-taskers and non-traditional work agenda

(2) Senior professionals with deep experience and traditional work values and ethics

The challenge for businesses is to establish a work culture where young BIM savvy work force and senior professionals integrate more efficiently to provide the best of both worlds to their own business as well the clients.

Back in 2012, I published a blog post on this very matter. Please CLICK HERE to read the blog post.

At national/industry level this culture change/integration challenge is even bigger. I don't have enough credential to comment on this so I will use a relevant material here for the reference.

Please see an image below which is an extract from the article published last year in Construction Manager. To read the full article CLICK HERE.

Image: An extract from the article published on Construction Manager

 

Stop Referring to Level 3 and Level 4 BIMs

Do they even exist? Does anyone know if Level 3 and Level 4 BIM exist?

In my opinion they DON'T exist yet. They might in the future future (definitely Level 3 BIM) but not at this moment in time. To be honest, many in the industry are struggling with Level 1 and Level 2 let alone Level 3 or Level 4??? Technologically and contractually, Level 3 and Level 4 (I don't even know what Level 4 BIM is) BIMs are not possible.

My polite request to developers, lawyers and project managers: Please do not refer to Level 3 and/or Level 4 BIM in your BIM requirements. They don't exist at this moment in time. (full stop)

For reference, see the famous diagram below. The UK industry is targeting to achieve Level 2 BIM (private clients as well as government) by 2016. Level 3 BIM is an idea at the moment and not defined fully.

So what is Level 2 BIM? What BIM deliverables should be included in a project that is aspiring to achieve Level 2 BIM?

See an image below that concludes everything. This was taken during a presentation by our 'BIM Mayor of London'. You know who he is!

In summary:

Level 2 BIM includes:

1. CDE platform
2. non-graphical data, either COBie or client specified data format
3. 2D PDFs
4. BIM protocol documents
5. 3D models, native as well as a federated

Level 2 BIM DOESN'T mean***:

1. Live cost data to  BIM models
2. Live time data to BIM models
3. Live FM data to BIM models
4. Live asset management data to BIM models

***NB: All of the above "DOESN'T mean" can be linked with 3D geometry produced by Level 2 BIM process. In other words, 3D geometry produced as a result of Level 2 BIM process can have external link to a database that holds FM/AM/Cost information or in some cases that information can be embedded within 3D geometry. Also, if you manage to achieve all of the above "DOESN'T mean" doesn't mean that you are doing Level 3 or Level 4 BIM. You are still in 'silloed' Level 2 BIM where everyone works in their own BIM environment and contributes to a federated BIM environment.

Three Levels of BIM Implementation

From UK perspective, there are three (key) BIM Implementations levels that every business should be aware of and be engaged at.

The list below goes from smallest to biggest in scale.

1. Project Level
2. Business Level
3. National Level

Assumption: Council level implementation is included in National level.

PROJECT LEVEL BIM IMPLEMENTATION

This is the easiest level and smallest level of three. By now, most of us in UK are (should be) aware of necessary ingredients of successful BIM Implementation at project level. Some of which are:

1. BIM Execution Plan (first and most important task)
2. BIM Protocol (or BIM scope of services for project team)
3. BIM trained project team
4. Clearly defined project specific BIM roles, responsibilities and deliverables (part of BEP)
5. BIM capable IT infrastructure
6. Clear and regular communications
7. Commitment

There is a plenty of guidance and material available at this level. BIM Task Group website is your official portal for this. EIR, PAS 1192-2, BS 1192:2007, plethora of BEP templates available on the web and CIC Information Manager scope of services are some of the important documents that can be useful in this.

To supplement this guidance material, there are plenty of project case studies published in the UK media as well as shared at BIM conferences around the country.

To summarise, we have plenty of proven case studies and guidance material available to guide you to achieve successful BIM Implementation at project level. While I am at this, I wouldn't mind sharing 100 Bishopsgate BIM Implementation link here as a reference.

BUSINESS LEVEL BIM IMPLEMENTATION

This one is a tricky one. I have seen a lot of companies (failing) struggling with BIM because they either ignore the business level implementation completely or didn't give enough importance to it.

So why is business level BIM Implementation so important and should be addressed first before you address project level implementation? Mainly, because if the business is not clear about why it is implementing BIM then the project team is going to make their own assumptions and use BIM in a non-structured way without meeting any business goals.


Some of the items you should look at:

1. BIM will involve considerable time+money investment so first of all business drivers behind its implementation need to be defined and understood. Without this you cannot go further in your BIM journey. 
2. Define and understand your business BIM deliverables/capabilities targets
3. Set yourself phased targets to achieve your BIM  deliverables/capabilities targets
4. Define and understand Finance+IT+People resources required  to achieve your BIM deliverables/capabilities targets
5. Define and understand change management process required to achieve your business BIM deliverables/capabilities targets and sustain that change
6. Define and understand a plan/platform for BIM knowledge management
7. KPIs
8. Finally capture all of above (and any additional things you may want to cover) in a document and name it "BIM Implementation Strategy and Action Plan"

This is it. Simple as that.

Actually, not. It is not as simple as this list of 8 bullet points. Business level BIM Implementation requires you to think deep and many more issues such as:

1. How is your legal team going to integrate BIM your contracts or respond to contracts you receive where BIM is mandatory?
2. How are you going to supplement your bids team with additional skill for BIM technical submission?
3. What is your HR plan for BIM team career progression?
4. If you are a contractor, how are you going to integrate BIM within design management, QS, H&S, Planning, QA, Procurement, M&E, Commissioning etc.?
5. Many more...list goes on and on

So it sounds like this level of BIM Implementation is very important. YES it is. Is there enough guidance and case studies available in the industry to address this? Unfortunately, NO. There is very little guidance and real case studies available on this matter. And to be honest, this is the area where majority of the companies could benefit by some guidance on. There are some case studies available but they mainly focus on ROI etc and shade very little light on how to integrate BIM at the business level irrespective of cost. To be honest, I have never understood the point of BIM ROI; maybe I am naive. Anyway, this is a discussion for some other time or may be not.

To summarise, Business Level BIM Implementation is the most important level and should be looked at first before you look at the Project Level BIM Implementation. However, to my knowledge there is no (real) guidance material available on this. I would be happy to be wrong on this comment. If so, please direct me and my blog readers to any material that you think can help with this matter.

NATIONAL LEVEL BIM IMPLEMENTATION

BIM Task Group. (full stop)

In addition to the above link:

CIC
CPIC
NBS
National BIM Library
RICS
BIM hubs
BuildingSmartUK
BS
Various BIM4 groups
Various RUGs (and NUGs, AUGs, BUGs, TUGs, SUGs etc)

etc.
etc.


NB: My apologies for not including links to above; running out of time.

I don't have credential to say more on this level of BIM Implementation as our authentic national figures such as David Philip, Mark Bew, Mervin Richards and many others are driving BIM Implementation at UK level with success. And I am proud to be part of this implementation effort through my engagement at business level + project level BIM Implementation and public forums.

To summarise, BIM Implementation at UK level requires all publicly procured project to use Level 2 BIM by 2016. There is plenty of material available on this matter. Just visit the first link in this section.


Having shared my views on these three levels of BIM Implementation, in year 2014/2015 I hope we see some guidance material on Business Level BIM Implementation in UK BIM conferences or public media.