BIM FAQ

BIM Level 2 is an outdated term that described a mature approach to BIM, where individual discipline-specific models and data were produced, then federated together to give an overall Project Information Model. It is progress on from:

BIM Level 0 = unstructured 2D CAD data.

BIM Level 1 = 2D and 3D CAD data adhering to recognised standards.

The next step on was the BIM Level 3 utopia, where all geometry and data would be stored in a single database.

These definitions have been superseded and replaced with a more pragmatic definition of “BIM according to the UK BIM Framework”, which simply means you are following the expected processes described in the core UK standards.

Evolve can help all levels of staff understand what BIM means and any implications.

More details: BIM AWARENESS

Information Management is (wait for it) the process of managing digital information on a project, or within an organisation. In terms of formal processes, the expectations of information management tasks are defined in the ISO 19650 series, from the specification of information requirements, through the plan of how those requirements will be met, to the preparation, mobilisation and delivery of a project.

The responsibility for information management tasks is usually given to an individual or team to ensure the actions are carried out. This can be internal to your company or an expert consultancy.

Evolve can help you develop your information management processes, or provide all forms of information management activities for you. implications.

More details: INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

BIM Coordination and Information Management can sometimes be confused, but in reality they are significantly different.

Information Management is a series of tasks throughout the project lifecycle to define requirements, produce and deliver information. A brief overview of these tasks is show in the image below:

BIM Coordination is the act of managing the production, exchange and coordination of design information, usually models and their associated data. It would cover only a part of the whole information management workflow:

Allow Evolve to free up your teams to concentrate on the design and delivery while we manage your BIM Coordination activities.

More details: BIM COORDINATION

There are many UK and international standards that form a complete picture of BIM & the surrounding processes. The main documents can be found on:

Standards

We would recommend starting with the guidance documents as they explain the intention behind the standards and how to consider their practical use.

Additionally, the following also play a part in the development of digital production standards:

BS 8541 is a series of standards that define objects and symbols for architecture, engineering and construction. In terms of BIM, part 1 is important as it defines object naming conventions.

BS EN 17412 defines how to specify level of information need for consistent information deliveries.

BS EN ISO 13567 is the standard that covers layer naming.

NBIMS 4.3 is the section of the National BIM Standards of the United States that deals with COBie.

With all these, the key is understanding their intent and making sure they are implemented in a way that no-one has to refer to the standards themselves.

Evolve specialises in developing digital production and information standards that adhere to these requirements.

More details: BIM AWARENESS

The relevant standards, and even the guidance, is filled with terms and definitions that are not used in everyday construction speak. Part of this is because of the international nature of the ISO standards (finding common terminology in multiple languages and cultures can be difficult) and part of it is necessary to explain new concepts and documents.

AIR Asset Information Requirements: the information required to maintain or operate an asset. Defined by the client and used to help draft the EIR.

BEP BIM Execution Plan: the methods used to deliver the information required on a project. usually developed collectively by the design and delivery team as a response to the client’s EIR.

EIR Exchange Information Requirement: the information required to be delivered on a project. Defined by the client.

MIDP Master Information Delivery Plan: a compiled schedule of models, drawings, documents and any other information being produced on a project. It shows what information is being produced, by which party, what form it will take, and when it will be available. Compiled from each team’s TIDP.

Mobilisation plan: a series of actions, tests and resources necessary to ensure the delivery of information will be achievable. This should be programmed in after the definition of the BEP but ahead of the commencement of works.

MPDT Model Production and Delivery Table: an older term for the Responsibility Matrix. It breaks down the elements being modelled on a project and clarifies which party will be responsible for their production and delivery. Typically it would include definitions of the graphical appearance of elements at each stage, and what data is to be included.

OIR Organisational Information Requirements: the information required by an organisation to perform its function. These would not usually be project-specific (that would be the AIR & EIR) but would relate to all projects and operations.

PIR Project Information Requirements: a series of key performance indicators or questions against which to measure the success of information delivery on a project.

RM Responsibility Matrix: confusingly ISO 19650 refers to two RMs.

Information delivery responsibility matrix: a table of the information being produced on a project and which party is responsible. Unlike its predecessor, the MPDT, this may cover more than just models, although in practice that is still primarily what it is used for.

Information management responsibility matrix: an index of tasks and functions required to deliver the project and who is responsible for, accountable for, consulted or informed of those tasks.

TIDP Task Information Delivery Plan: a series of team-specific schedules of models, drawings, documents and any other information being produced on a project.

Evolve are specialists in developing BIM training strategies, cutting through jargon to get to what is important – successful delivery.

More details: BIM TRAINING

More details: BIM IMPLEMENTATION

The relevant standards, and even the guidance, is filled with terms and definitions that are not used in everyday construction speak. Part of this is because of the international nature of the ISO standards (finding common terminology in multiple languages and cultures can be difficult) and part of it is necessary to explain new concepts and documents.

Appointing party = the client. Usually the owner / operator or contractor. Literally the company appointing another through a contract.

Lead appointed party = any company who has a direct appointment with the client.

Appointed party = literally a company, a supplier, who has been appointed to deliver a project.

The three parties above are intended to define contractual relationships and may not necessarily reflect the hierarchy of lead designer and other members of the design team.

Confusingly, it also means that one company might have duplicate responsibilities. A contractor appointed by the client might be both a lead appointed party and an appointing party of their own sub-contractors.

Delivery team = a collective term for each lead appointed party and their appointed parties on a project.

Information Manager = an individual or team responsible for the information management tasks. There may be multiple information managers (client, contractor, design team) as all parties have information management tasks to carry out.

Task team = a team appointed to perform a specific task. In practice, this equates directly to each discipline.

Evolve are specialists in developing BIM training strategies, cutting through jargon to get to what is important – successful delivery.

More details: BIM TRAINING

More details: BIM IMPLEMENTATION

The relevant standards, and even the guidance, is filled with terms and definitions that are not used in everyday construction speak. Part of this is because of the international nature of the ISO standards (finding common terminology in multiple languages and cultures can be difficult) and part of it is necessary to explain new concepts and documents.

CDE Common Data Environment: the process and application(s) that together enable the exchange, approval and storage of information on a project. Refer to What is a Common Data Environment? below.

COBie Construction to Operations Building Information Exchange: a schedule of the maintainable equipment, its location, cost and warranties, along with associated documentation typically in the form of a spreadsheet.

LOD Level of Development: an outdated term, now replaced by level of information need, to describe the visual representation of a deliverable and what data it requires at which stage.

AIM Asset Information Model: the collection of information (not just models) used to manage an asset.

PIM Project Information Model: the collection of individual discipline models, federated together to represent the complete built asset.

IFC Industry Foundation Classes: a series of definitions of elements in a construction project that allow standardisation of information. Most commonly used in the form of a file format exported from one application and used in another. Think of it as a 21st century 3D DXF with data.

Uniclass: the unified classification system used in the UK. A series of tables that define the breakdown and codes for information, systems, products, activities, etc. The version used for BIM is Uniclass 2015.

2D: two-dimensional CAD. A flat digital representation of a project plan, elevations or sections, typically used to produce drawings.

3D: three-dimensional CAD: a digital representation of a project. The model may or may not contain data.

4D: time-based modelling. Use the term “construction sequencing” instead of 4D.

5D: cost-based modelling. Use the term “cost” instead of 5D.

6D: depends on which definition you refer to. 6D can mean the inclusion of sustainability data, the facility management data, or others. It is a good example why it is far better to use the actual term of what you are modelling or analysing rather than 6D.

BCF BIM Collaboration Format: a file format developed to allow the exchange of model issues between software. The BCF contains views, associated responsibilities and comments for any issues, including but not limited to, clashes on models.

Evolve are specialists in developing BIM training strategies, cutting through jargon to get to what is important – successful delivery.

More details: BIM TRAINING

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A CDE is often described as “the single source of truth” for project information. In reality this might be better thought of as “many paths to one truth” (very philosophical) as project information can exist in many different places.

What it isn’t is just a cloud-based storage solution, although that may form part of the CDE.

A complete CDE might include:

• the project servers of all involved parties developing the WIP (work in progress) information.
• the method(s) of sharing that information (email, DropBox, etc).
• multiple cloud-based or other storage systems (BIM 360, ProjectWise, SharePoint, Viewpoint 4 Projects, Procore, etc).
• the procedures and workflows for reviewing, approving, authorising and accepting information.
• methods for classifying and identifying information.
• A project archive and audit trail of information.

Choosing the right tool can be a daunting task. Let us help to identify your key requirements and specify the right solution for your projects.

More details: PROJECT TECHNOLOGY

COBie stands for Construction to Operations Building Information Exchange. It is a standardised format for the maintenance and operation of a project usually in the form of a spreadsheet. It was originally conceived by Bill East for the US Army Corps of Engineers to answer three questions about their assets:

1. What equipment is being delivered?
2. Where does a technician go to access that equipment?
3. What maintenance will that equipment require?

It is a series of cross-related worksheets that define each individual component ID, its type, its location, cost and warranties, and associated health and safety and O&M data.

Evolve are specialists in developing BIM training strategies, cutting through jargon to get to what is important – successful delivery.

More details: BIM TRAINING

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Whether BIM is contractual or not depends on whether it has been included in your appointment. Even if it is, you will need to check the terms and scope of appointment to confirm exactly what is expected of you. Appointments can be vague, sometimes intentionally, so it’s very important to clarify your definition and understanding of what it is you believe to be expected of you.

The information protocol template can be used to detail which documents and procedures are included as part of the appointment. Once developed, the project information protocol would then be incorporated into the contract documents and make adherence to the documents and procedures contractual.

Evolve will review your projects to identify any areas of risk, and make sure you are fulfilling your obligations.

More details: BIM IMPLEMENTATION

The first part of the answer is to understand what is meant by BIM. There are many different definitions, what is primarily important is that you are defining how BIM is approached within your company and what your typical processes and deliverables on a project would be. Prepare a “BIM statement” that outlines your capabilities and explains, for the standard fee you charge, what would normally be included and, equally importantly, what wouldn’t.

Spend some time understanding the expectations of ISO 19650 and the other UK BIM Framework standards. Identify areas where you may need to develop your working methods or procedures to be compliant with the workflows of, particularly, ISO 19650-2 for design and construction and ISO 19650-3 for asset management. Develop template information requirements or execution plans so you do not need to reinvent the wheel on every new project.

It is often beneficial to incorporate these methods into your quality management system to ensure key steps have been taken on any project that falls under the “BIM” banner. Work alongside your training manager (if you have one) to develop training schemes that will explain any unfamiliar concepts to your staff, at all levels of the business, and embed these methods into your “business as usual”.

Finally, review your progress. Audit your projects regularly and monitor compliance:

• Are you able to locate the expected documentation?
• Does the documentation address the necessary requirements in a clear and concise manner?
• Are the necessary review, approvals and / or acceptance processes in place?
• Is your information correct and on time?

At any stage of your BIM and Information Management journey, Evolve Consultancy is here to help. Drop us a line for a chat, and we’ll help you define your goals and ensure success.

More details: BIM IMPLEMENTATION