What Are You Getting Out of Building Information Modeling (BIM)?

By adoption to BIM, we find that the resulting data, models and representations can be used to bridge information gaps, improve visibility and drive collaboration between various stakeholders, positively impacting all facets of the business. From initial design, through to facilities management once the building project is complete; learn how BIM data can be used to accelerate project timelines.  I think it is important for the construction industry to keep track of these new methods and ideas being developed by other industries. BIM, as a process, can help implement in the Project Life Cycle what Jeff Calls "Real Time Sense-Making". No more having the MEP engineer working on an old outdated version of the project, no more calculating costs on lasts months design. If we manage to achieve a full collaborative process, we will be able to share the information right away and be much more efficient.  I guess it is just about time that computers will be able to handle almost any project size, detailing will be easier and more features and functionality will be added to BIM software packages. By then, Architects, Engineers and Contractors must be already familiar with BIM as a process, because those who don't will be left behind.

Proper BIM models to be used for Estimating require a capacity to have the building in your brain in 3D to be able to see, find, and detect possible errors or missing parts of the building.

As Quoted by NBS National BIM Survey:“More than 80% agreed BIM increases the coordination of construction documents, with 65% of those using the technology saying BIM delivered cost efficiencies.”

With traditional 2D plans and elevations, quantities such as volumes or areas of materials or numbers of components have to be calculated accumulatively.

With a BIM, quantities can be calculated automatically by the software, making automatic generation of template bills of quantities, door and window schedules an instant operation.