There are multiple uses of BIM. Are they all for you? Not necessarily. BIM provides multiple strategies and solutions for the construction industry, starting from planning, to the operational phase of a building. It is not necessary that one should try to implement all these strategies and solution in their workflow to achieve their maximum potential. Although it is crucial to know about all these uses, it is also very important to know which BIM uses align with the goals of your organization. Which BIM uses are actually going to benefit you, and which BIM uses you can go without happily. To know the difference, it is crucial to understand what BIM has to offer in the first place.
Below are the BIM uses, that I have categorized related to different phase of the project. Again, some might relate to what you do or what you want to achieve, and some might not. You should keep a lookout for the ones that are useful for you.
Plan
1. Establish project requirements – Establish data-centric approach to capture and monitor key project aspects and scope such as area, spatial, functional, asset, deliverable, code, end user, organizational, and other stakeholder requirements.
2. Capture condition – Capture information about existing site and assets to include in a model.
3. Compile Record Deliverables – Capture and document project and asset information for the purpose of communicating the status at the completion of the delivery phase.
4. Generate Estimate(s) – Use data-centric approach to extract project, site, and asset quantity information from model(s) to support the development of project an/or lifecycle cost estimates.
5. Review Design – Validate the design intent and constructability of the project based on meeting project requirements and stakeholder expectations, and regulatory compliance (such as validating design quality, 3D model quality, and data quality). Note, this BIM use is not limited to design phase.
6. Visualize Construction Sequencing – Use a model to graphically represent and communicate the timing and/or sequencing of construction activities.
DESIGN
1. Analyse Design – Examine and evaluate a facility design to assess its functionality, and compliance with various criteria and requirements.
2. Author Design – Develop a design using BIM authoring software with 3D and attribute information for a facility/site leveraging an object library of parametric elements.
3. Author Temporary Work – Generate the design of non-permanent elements in a model necessary to construct a project.
4. Coordinate Design and Construction – Verify the overall design layout and spatial arrangement of systems by applying construction means and methods and additional spatial constraints (such as code requirements, maintenance access and clearances) to validate the constructability of the project.
CONSTRUCTION
1. Generate fabrication details – Generate the manufacturing and/or construction details in a model necessary to fabricate elements of a project.
2. Layout Construction work – Use model information to support real-time positioning to layout features of work on a construction project.
3. Produce Construction Documentation – Generate documentation necessary to communicate design intent and construction details which may include plans, elevations, sections, renderings, data schedules, 3D diagrams, or specifications.
OPERATION
1. Manage assets – Track asset performance and ensure proper maintenance to ensure longevity and optimal functionality.
2. Manage Space – Allocate, organize, and optimize the use of the physical space of a facility.
3. Monitor Facility Performance – Assess and evaluate the performance of a facility to ensure it operates efficiently, effectively, and with performance standards.
Once you have figured out the BIM uses you want to achieve, the next step will be to learn BIM process to successfully implement these BIM uses in your workflow.