A strategy can be defined as ‘a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim’, and a BIM (Building Information Modelling) Strategy should be no different.
In business, there are three essential types of strategies that are required for the success of an organisation, these are business, operational and transformational strategies. All of which are underpinned by a common consideration, the organisation’s people, process, and technology.
A BIM Strategy shall take consideration of these and expand upon in relation to the level to which BIM will be implemented and the associated transition process for the implementation of BIM into organisational business practices.
Prior to an organisation embarking on the creation of a BIM Strategy, and to avoid any failings later down the line, a series of questions should be considered similar to those below:
- What is our current level of BIM implementation, none, partial?
- What do we want to achieve from BIM implementation, and how does it link to our wider business strategies?
- What is our internal and external use of technologies and processes?
- How are we going to integrate BIM into the business, and by when?
Establishing a BIM Strategy will provide an organisation with a plan of action for the implementation of new processes and technology, ensure they have the necessary resources to achieve the desired long-term aims and integration through collaborative projects.
Do you need a BIM Strategy on a project?
At project level, a BIM Strategy, is really driven by having an educated client. One that understands that BIM starts and ends with them, and compliance to the UK BIM Framework on their project and the Information Management process, detailed within BS EN ISO 19650-2:2018 being applied throughout the delivery phase of the assets being key to reap the benefits that BIM brings.
Having an educated client means that they understand what information they need to be able to operate and maintain their asset upon handover and can clearly communicate their specific requirements with the necessary documentation that ISO 19650-2:2018 calls for, such as project information requirements, Exchange Information Requirements (EIR) etc.
Why is a BIM Strategy important?
For public-funded projects, conformance to the UK BIM Framework is required on projects by the Information Management Mandate detailed within the Transforming Infrastructure Performance (TIP): Roadmap to 2030 document and by the Government’s expectations within the Construction Playbook, regardless of type (roads, rails, or buildings etc.) and size with societal impacts being at the centre of every decision.
Therefore, invitation to tenders on such government backed projects will require some level of BIM adoption and adherence to industry requirements, and those tendering will need to understand their obligations.
Outside of public-funded projects, large scale projects often have many complex parts and a vast number of suppliers involved that need to be coordinated which can be very challenging and requires efficient collaboration to keep abreast of overall time and cost.
The implementation of BIM can relieve some of these challenges; the simple introduction of standards and processes for suppliers to align to, together with 3D coordination and data exchange mechanism (the Common Data Environment) provides a level of assurance to the client in the information being delivered during each phase of the project.; design, construction and through to operation.
What should organisations be considering when planning a BIM Strategy for a large infrastructure project?
Start with the end in mind!
As with any construction project embarked upon during recent times, it’s important for consideration to be given to what data the Facilities Management team require in order to operate and maintain the asset over the course of its lifecycle but also the plethora of benefits it can pose to the project and its various stakeholders.
Changes are inevitable both in design and even in requirements, however, and with a strong BIM strategy in place which conforms to the UK BIM Framework, there is a better chance of getting agreement and adherence from all parties earlier on. Following the information management process and associated sequenced activities detailed in industry standard BS EN ISO 19650 facilitates the seamless transfer of relevant information from design to construction and through to operation.
With all the above in mind, Waldeck can help with your BIM Strategy, through three main services:
1. Organisational BIM Strategy
Waldeck’s approach aligns digital transformation with organisational purpose, which is embraced throughout our clients’ organisation, and deeply integrated into the daily activities of their employees.
Our BIM Consultants recognise that no two BIM Strategies are the same. They greatly differ between business to business depending on several parameters, such as client base (existing and new), size of organisation, discipline, specialities etc.
We undertake an assessment of our clients’ organisation, working with them every step of the way to understand their needs and current level of digital transformation. With a holistic mind-set towards our clients’ t requirements, we provide recommendations that strategically align this with their digital and organisational goals and gain them significant competitive advantage and/or increased operational efficiency.
2. Tendering Services
Waldeck have been utilising software supporting good information management for 10+ years and have been delivering BIM compliant schemes since the Government mandate in April 2016, gaining BRE BIM Level 2 Business Systems Certification in 2017 and more recently awarded with BRE ISO 19650-2:2018 Certification Scheme for Businesses in 2021, now being one of the first UKAS accredited schemes.
Our BIM Consultants can assist with prospective appointed party tender responses, pointing out obligations from the information supplied, where clarifications on the information provided needs to be sought, what information the prospective appointed party is to compile as part of the delivery team’s tender response, and establishing or contributing to the documents within the tender response.
3. Project BIM Strategy
Our BIM expert domain and solution knowledge sees us shaping clients’ visions into reality, helping their organisations and projects with strategic information management to improve performance, develop robust processes and workflows to BS EN ISO 19650 industry standards, whilst harnessing the power of technology to optimise project inception, delivery and operation.
Our BIM Consultants work with our clients to understand their particular organisational and project information requirements supporting information management activities detailed in BS EN ISO 19650-2.
How can you find out more about how to implement a BIM Strategy?
Waldeck have a wealth of knowledge applying BIM across a broad spectrum of infrastructure projects. We can help educate clients on how through the appropriate level of BIM implementation and appropriate alignment to BS EN ISO 19650 standards they can reap tangible benefits to the lifecycle of their assets.
For more information please call 08450 990285 or email [email protected].