There鈥檚 a lot of misunderstanding surrounding BIM - essentially it should make all our lives easier

 

Frank McLeod

I remember sitting in one organisation strategising about the use of technology as a catalyst, trying to change how information is used to restructure an industry, when a message popped into my inbox.

It鈥檚 the major bid team and they have a questionnaire to complete: 鈥淲e need an answer to question 4.1, the BIM question, nothing OTT 2 A4 sheets should crack it.鈥�

A common enough enquiry these days, although somewhat annoying in its total lack of comprehension.

We have to recognise information modelling for what it is and award it the status it requires. Don鈥檛 get me wrong, I鈥檓 a designer and I鈥檇 rather sketch than fill in a COBie spreadsheet. But we must recognise that BIM is the environment and if it is not to become burdensome and is to enable the delivery of value, then it must be taken seriously and be elevated on a project from its earliest inception.

We have to recognise information modelling for what it is and award it the status it requires

I鈥檓 not suggesting that we should model detailed geometry during conception, but we should be planning how to deliver the project. The BIM environment is about managing the information modelling and fostering collaboration. It is effectively the leadership of the project and as such, shouldn鈥檛 the management of the information models be within the domain of the project / design manager? 

Don鈥檛 worry about the technology, its a smokescreen, let鈥檚 not make BIM a marketing or premium service.

Basically our essence is the creation of information in a manner that can be comprehended by others. Regardless of which phase of modelling we are in 鈥� 鈥� we are all looking for knowledge to help us explore, consider and make decisions.

This is the structured presentation of information, in the manner best suited to the recipient.

So let鈥檚 forget the silly word BIM and let鈥檚 plan how we are going to collaborate with structured, coordinated and managed information for the benefit of others from the outset.

Now that鈥檚 not a bad answer to question 4.1!

Frank McLeod is UK head of project technology for WSP

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