One of the most important aspects of Building Information Modelling (BIM) is to fully understand what it means, and what it can achieve and why. Without this basic understanding, it would be difficult for an electrical contracting firm to see how best to use BIM techniques, or indeed whether to use it at all. The following very useful frequently asked questions, with answers, were taken from the BIM Task Force website:
The Government Construction Strategy was published by the Cabinet office in May 2011. The report announced the Government’s intention to require collaborative 3D BIM (with all project and asset information, documentation and data being electronic) on its projects by 2016.
Essentially the UK Government has embarked with industry on a four year programme for sector modernisation with the key objective of: reducing capital cost and the carbon burden from the construction and operation of the built environment by 20%. Central to these ambitions is the adoption of information rich Building Information Modelling (BIM) technologies, process and collaborative behaviours that will unlock new more efficient ways of working at all stages of the project life-cycle.
One job of the BIM Task Group is to raise awareness of the BIM programme and requirements and ensure that a consistent message is delivered to the supply chain, share best practice and allow a feedback route back to the Task Group. The following FAQs are a part of this:
BIM FAQs:
What is Building Information Modelling (BIM)?
There are many definitions and in many ways it depends on your point of view or what you seek to gain from the approach. Sometimes it’s easier to say what BIM isn’t.
- It’s not just 3D CAD
- It’s not just a new technology application
- It’s not next generation, it here and now!
BIM is essentially value creating collaboration through the entire life-cycle of an asset, underpinned by the creation, collation and exchange of shared 3D models and intelligent, structured data attached to them.
Crudely defined, Level 2 BIM is a series of domain specific models (e.g. architectural, structural, services etc.) with the provision of a single environment to store shared data and information - in this case COBie UK 2012.
How do you use it?
Other than a digital-tool set, you don’t actually use BIM - it is way of working, it’s what you do: information modelling and information management in a team environment.
The 3D experience, digital simulations, rehearsals of all stages of the design, build and operate process, and the information within the models facilitate well informed decision making - resulting in better business outcomes, clarity, improved communication, de-risking and ultimately better efficiency.
What is the HMG BIM hypothesis and why is it important?
Government, as a client, can derive significant improvements in cost, value and carbon performance through the use of open sharable asset information.
The hypothesis is important as it enables the team to demonstrate across a range of performance dimensions that useable benefits will be secured. The tests that we used to confirm benefits cover the criteria shown in the attached table.
What can BIM working do that conventional working can’t?
BIM models associate additional information about asset components with geometry in a structured way. This lets us build project documentation in a much more structured and on line way.
BIM-enabled working allows this information to be shared by different project participants and also between different stages of design, construction and operation.
For example, an engineer is able to use information sourced from the architect to prepare energy calculations or a contractor can check the coordination of contributions from different members of the project team. Programme and cost information can also be captured using BIM. Most importantly, BIM has the potential to allow information about the use of the building to be collated and held in formats useable by the operators of facilities – enabling buildings and other assets to be used and maintained efficiently.
What is the benefits case for BIM?
There has been much written about benefits and most parties now agree that there are benefits to gained by everyone in the supply chain if they use BIM tools and methodology in a collaborative and inclusive manner. The problem with all of these claims is:
- How do I measure benefit and costs consistently?
- Who gets the benefit and why?
The most complete set of benefits analysis is documented in the BSI’s ‘Investors Report’, but even this paper struggled to get accurate feedback for the FM and Operations stages to allow representative comparisons. The HMG BIM strategy will be publishing measurement methods so improvement metrics can be collected on all public sector projects in the future.
What are the wider benefits of the Government’s Strategy?
The objectives of the strategy accelerate the adoption of BIM throughout the UK construction supply chain. By creating critical mass and certainty of demand, we will provide the confidence that will enable businesses, training organisations and professional bodies to invest more rapidly in the development of their own capability.
Through selective investment in standards and protocols we will reduce adoption costs for the industry. In addition to the direct benefits, which the Government Client will secure through BIM adoption, we expect that project teams will make wider use of enhanced BIM capabilities on behalf of all construction clients.
Build off site and lean techniques are all key to the delivery of low cost, best value low carbon assets. BIM is a key enabler and integrating technology in these processes.
Our whole sector approach to BIM will bring additional opportunities in the form of exploiting existing and new export markets for UK construction ‘know how’ and BIM ready products. The international consultancy market is highly competitive and it is important that UK companies remain ahead of the ‘game’ in terms of new technology to approaches and the way we work.
The most important part of the strategy is to consolidate BIM exploitation in the domestic market as a springboard to exploit our expertise and to maintain our leadership in the global markets.
The additional effect of widespread adoption of BIM in the UK construction sector is that it presents a big opportunity for domestic niche software developers and off-site manufacturers that will translate into jobs.
Realistically, how much more money could businesses make from implementing it?
BIM, if successfully implemented, will help organisation strip the waste from their processes which in many cases could be in the bandwidth of 20-30%. This can be achieved by designing and building the asset virtually, once, twice…. until it can be built once flawlessly on site.
Additionally, this whole sector approach to BIM will bring further opportunities in the form of exploiting existing and new export markets for UK construction ‘know how’ and BIM ready products. The international consultancy market is highly competitive and it is important that UK companies remain ahead of the game in terms of new technology to approaches and the way we work.
So what is really all about?
It’s all about the data! There are three key deliverables:
- The individual domain 3D models in their native file formats
- The 2D reviewable design deliverables cut from the models
- COBie UK 2012 data
The Government’s view is that BIM is an important enabling element of the wider Construction Strategy. BIM will provide the information foundation for the work of integrated teams – the Government’s preferred strategy for project delivery – driving value in, and cost out of the design and construction process.
What is the extent of the Government Construction Strategy and its BIM requirements?
The Government Construction Strategy (GCS) requires that Government will require fully collaborative 3D BIM (with all project and asset information, documentation and data being electronic) as a minimum by 2016. This refers to all centrally procured Government projects as outlined in the GCS including new build and retained estate, vertical and linear.
2016 is still a few years off so do I have plenty of time to get ready?
Start now! This is particularly true in terms of BIM implementation – it’s not a fad, it’s real and it’s now. You cannot afford to wait until 2016 – the early adopter Departments have already started their BIM embarkation, can you really afford to miss out? 2016 is 100% adoption.
But BIM is only required on projects over £50 million, is it not?
The Government Construction Strategy and it’s BIM intervention is far reaching (there is no minimum value (£) on a BIM enabled project), you may be involved either directly through engaging with a Government Department or indirectly with a supply chain partner who is and needs data as part of their contractural requirements. So, no matter what your role in the built environment, it is highly likely that your business will be involved the BIM process - either supplying or managing data.
This is going to cost us a fortune isn’t it?
Avoid the ambulance chasers and the BIM wash. The reality is BIM has the potential for your company to unlock more efficient ways of collaborative working and will offer better value to your customers (both public and private).
You cannot buy BIM out a box, and the truth is you may require to make a technology investment, but BIM is very much more than technology - it is a new way of working and you will need to invest more in doing than buying.
Concentrate on your people (raising BIM awareness / training) and process (managing and using asset information).
Understand your role in the process – irrespective of what your business does you will be supplying and managing information so get to know the key reference points: COBie UK 2012, PAS1192-2:2012
Where can I find more about the Government BIM requirements without it costing me a fortune?
A great place to get started is our web-site www.bimtaskgroup.org where you will find lots to content that is contextualised to our Level 2 programme.
Additionally, Regional BIM Hubs are also being created by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) which will be launched in Autumn 2012 these hubs will offer (without cost) impartial advice on the Government BIM requirements. More information can be found at: www.bimtaskgroup.org/bim-regional-hubs/
So how much is BIM going to cost my business to implement?
We are asked this question a lot, however we think that this should be reframed as either: what’s the cost to my business if we don’t do it? Or what is the typical return on investment (ROI) if you implement BIM?
The cost of BIM implementation is proportional to what outcomes you want to achieve from BIM. If treated as a business change programme the principal cost will be in staff time, BIM awareness and training etc. The inconvenient truth is that you are likely to need some new digital tools – however, the cost of this will depend on what you need to do with model, data creation or management. Most BIM design review tools are free!
What about BIM authoring tools?
Typically, depending upon complexity, will be around the same as (depending where you live in the UK) a pint and half of beer a day!
What is COBie?
COBie is a data standard designed to manage the data coming from BIM models into the client organisation, particularly for the handover of O&M information. The BIM Task Group has extended this process (COBie UK 2012) to four data drops during the delivery stage of the project to manage cost and carbon. The data is exchanged using spreadsheets to keep the complexity of systems and training to a minimum. You can find additional detail about COBie at www.bimtaskgroup.org/cobie-uk-2012/
Is COBie a building model?
No, COBie is the format for the publication of a subset of a building model. COBie’s focus is on delivering building information not geometric modelling. COBie formatted building information is not an entire building model. COBie is a subset of a building model referred to as a ‘model view’ or ‘Data View’
When do I deliver COBie data?
COBie data is delivered along with existing contract deliverables depending on your specific contract. COBie does not change the content of existing contract deliverables. COBie does, however, change the format of the information that is delivered.
An example specification for the delivery of COBie files may be found on the BIM Task Group website.
Why is COBie a spreadsheet?
COBie is an interim step to a technology that allows open exchange of all project data. Such standards have been in development for some time and are starting to emerge, but need a little more time to mature to a stage for widespread end-to-end adoption.
COBie was chosen as it offered us a future-proof (COBie and the emerging standards are compatible) option so we could ensure that we didn’t put ourselves in a position of having masses of redundant data that could not be migrated to new future systems and standards.
The use of a spread sheet is only coincidental as the information will be mostly used either in a BIM or FM tool, using spreadsheets does mean however that anyone will be able to make use of the information with minimal cost.
The amount of the COBie UK 2012 worksheets to fill in depends on the project stage. Project team members only enter the data for which they are responsible. Designers provide spaces and equipment locations. Contractors provide manufacturer information and installed product data. Commissioning agents provide warranties, parts, maintenance information.
What products and equipment do I include in COBie UK 2012?
All products and equipment listed in design schedules should be found in the COBie UK 2012 file under the Type and Component Worksheets. Type worksheets identify the category of product. Components are specific instances of each of the Types, typically found in one room or area. Components must be listed by room or area. Components that link or span rooms must be listed in each applicable room. Interior doors, for example, should be listed in both spaces that the doors connect.
What software is required to create COBie UK 2012?
The COBie UK 2012 Specification is a performance specification. This means that it doesn’t matter what software is used to create COBie UK 2012 information, as long as the format of the information meets the COBie UK 2012 specification and the content of the COBie UK 2012 file reflects your specific project. Software vendors have begun to directly export to COBie UK 2012 - however, on small projects, COBie UK 2012 may also be created or updated by hand directly in the spreadsheet version of the COBie UK 2012 data.
What if my software doesn’t support COBie 2012 today?
Often software that doesn’t directly export COBie UK 2012 today will export spreadsheet formatted information in a different order than that provided by COBie UK 2012. Such information may be cut and pasted into COBie UK 2012, creating the start of the COBie UK 2012 file without rekeying room and equipment schedules.
How to I check a COBie Uk 2012 file?
A free program has been created to allow you to directly check a COBie UK 2012 file.
How will the adoption of BIM by Government affect SMEs?
BIM systems are already commonly used by many consultant SMEs. The acceleration of the development of information exchange standards and protocols will assist the adoption of effective ways of BIM working.
The strategy group recognises that the adoption of BIM by the contracting supply chain will require more development of capability, particularly around the adoption of the COBie standard, and the roll-out of BIM requirements will be staged so that necessary competences and capabilities can be built within the supply chain.
Are there any minimum Education and Training standards or accreditation?
The BIM Task Group is not recommending the introduction of a standard or accreditation system for BIM training and education. It is however, producing a description of the learning outcomes that BIM training and education courses should consider.
This ‘learning outcomes framework’ is now being tested with the commercial training providers, professional institutions and academia. It will be published shortly on www.bimtaskgroup.org.
To see the full BIM Task Group FAQs, please go to: www.bimtaskgroup.org/bim-faqs/