Keeping a construction project streamlined, within budget, and on a timeline can be quite a hassle. However, some tools can directly influence the success or failure of our projects. Among these tools, BIM construction project management is reshaping how we envision, plan, and execute building projects. But if you are new to the world of BIM, read on to learn how it can make managing tasks in construction more streamlined and better organized, while keeping projects on budget.
After Reading This Blog, You Will:
- Know all about BIM technology and its benefits
- Know how to implement the best practices using BIM
- Know what BIM software you can use
What Is BIM Software?
At its core, Building Information Modeling is not just construction project management software or a 3D model — it is a process of creating and managing information for construction projects across the complete life cycle of the building project.
This process encourages multidisciplinary collaboration between all parties in a construction project. With BIM, all relevant stakeholders will share their information and progress simultaneously with each other. The shared information will all be in the same format and will follow predetermined rules. With BIM technology, teams can:
- Collaborate and keep everyone up-to-date on real time updates
- Share information before making physical changes
- Keep track of costs and monitor the preapproved budgets
With BIM Software project managers will have an immediate overview of the complete project and the current processes. By using this technology chances of delays, miscommunications, and errors are significantly lower, which has a positive influence on the budget.
Why Would You Use BIM Construction Project Management Software?
We can compare a construction site to an orchestra. Every party is trying to play their part as best as they can. But without correct communication from these parties, there will be no harmony in the building process. The building information modeling software will help to give the right communication so that all involved parties have the relevant information that is needed to make sure their part of the construction will be completed in the best way possible. When following a structured plan and sharing information immediately, different processes will be able to flow in a streamlined way, preventing delays and errors. Just like the guidance of a conductor gives information to the orchestra when to start and stop playing the next part of a song.
What Are The Advantages of Using BIM?
Improved Quality
The BIM process provides for more quality assurance for construction projects. The software can scan for weak points in a plan before any physical construction has started. During the building phase of the project, the real-time information helps contractors understand how changes and updates might impact the project and make crucial decisions directly on-site.
An Increase in Efficiency And Productivity
Real-time information sharing with BIM software gives all parties access to information about available resources, incoming materials, and schedules of other parts of the project. With this information, project managers can plan for work to be done simultaneously or in quick succession by different teams, with fewer delays.
Another big productivity boost is that decisions can be made with software in the field, without project managers having to drive back and forth from the office to see changes or current specs.
Better Coordination on a Multidisciplinary Level
Often, professionals like architects, engineers, builders, and electricians work independently of one another. By using BIM methods, construction project managers can create one big pool of real-time information that is accessible to all involved parties at any time.
This real-time communication results in improved coordination between parties and their teams The project manager will be responsible making this process flow seamlessly and efficiently between these parties.
Improved Accurate Material Estimations and Construction Scheduling
With the data on available raw resources and the raw resources needed for different processes, BIM can help give a more accurate estimation of the cost of materials. The same information can be used to only schedule a building phase when all resources are available. This will help with keeping a project within budget and making a realistic timeline of the project, without the need for manual calculations.
Less Unplanned Disruptions and Changes in the Project
Another benefit of using BIM software is that all parties can immediately communicate any problems that occur. With this information, the project manager can adjust the work schedule of other parties to prevent teams from clashing even before the next phase starts.
These benefits of construction planning software are not only advantageous for project managers, but also for architects, engineers, and other professionals involved in the construction of buildings.
Best Practices to Implement BIM Construction Project Management in Your Projects
Using Building Information Modeling is a great way to improve efficiency and prevent disruptions of a project. However, to use BIM in the best way possible, some practices should be used to ensure the quality of sharing information between teams.
BIM Strategies
Before starting a new project, it is important to have clear goals and objectives for the construction job. By using a BIM strategy plan, project managers can easily define the scope of a project and the roles and responsibilities of the team members involved in the project.
Keep naming consistent
Each department should use the same naming for objects, materials, and, other parts within the BIM project. This will help ensure clear communication between teams and professionals, so these are understood by all parties.
Manage information in a common data environment
When working with BIM, using a CDE is almost essential. A common data environment is a centralized data storage environment with all the collected data, including the BIM model and the BIM strategy plan. The involved parties will have access to this data allowing them to update information on-site and in real time.
Set up a BIM execution plan
When working with BIM, the BIM execution plan (BEP) is an essential document. The Building Execution Plan outlines the level of detail, how BIM will be used on the project, team members and their roles and responsibilities, and the tools that will be used during different processes.
Keep the BIM model up to date
Throughout the project, it is important to keep the BIM model up to date. By maintaining the model, the different teams have an accurate idea of the current processes, errors that occurred, and the addition of new components or materials based on changes to the construction process or the design.
By following these practices, project managers can ensure the quality of the finished tasks and raise the efficiency and productivity of every team member. The chances of miscommunication will be significantly lower than in situations where no BIM software is used, since each team member will know their role and responsibilities.
BIM Construction Project Management Software
Now that you know how BIM software can help you with streamlining and managing processes of construction projects, you have to find BIM software that fits your needs. A great example of BIM software you can use is Trimble Viewpoint construction software solutions. It’s part of Trimble Connected Construction and allows contractors to better manage their projects, processes, and people. The gathered data with this software can be used to lower risk and improve the margins of your projects.
