Utilizing the LBS in the 5D Workflow
Key to BIM methodology and practice is the ability to delineate and organize “zones” or locations throughout the model. In this Fridays with Vico, we’ll examine Location Breakdown Structure (LBS) in detail.
In previous webinars, we’ve discussed how we derive the construction-caliber quantities from the model geometry. It is these quantities which then drive the schedule and estimate with the following formula:

Now we’ll go one level deeper and examine the function of the Location Breakdown Structure and how it contributes to these calculations.
This is not to be confused with model splitting or model management. The Location Breakdown Structure is a collection of 3D zones (using horizontal and vertical splits) that define the scheduling and cost planning areas of a project.
The LBS can start with building floors/stories and then be further delineated into zones, departments and so on. The use of Location Systems also offers the opportunity to divide the same areas in different ways for different trades. The goal here is that all trades can be scheduled using their optimal location structure for the best possible sequence and continuous flow. [This continuous flow means no stops and starts for the crews – they work in a clear area until they are complete and then move to the next location.] The LBS can even start with Phases such as a distinct or independent structure or splitting the Laboratory, Surgical Rooms, and Patient areas in a hospital.
By organizing the project locations an optimal schedule can be created using Vico Office Schedule Planner, the model-based scheduling solution which utilizes Flowline theory as a key differentiator. LBS options can then be analyzed in terms of both cost and time. The GC and the Subs can review the video produced by Vico Office 4D Manager and make suggestions for improvements.
With an optimal sequence and schedule in hand, Superintendents can now use Vico Office Production Controller to simply record real-time start and finish dates per location. This production data then runs the forecasting, look-ahead schedules, status reports, and even generates Earned Value Analysis data for the project.
We’ll use the Vico Office Suite and LBS Manager in particular to walk through the workflow:
1.) Start by publishing and activating the BIM models from the team.
2.) Define a Location Systems for trades which require differing location breakdowns. For example, pouring the concrete floor only requires two pour zones but the finishes team building out the internal work (dry walling etc) would find the two pour zones irrelevant and want to work by rooms and the corridor (see the example below). Using Location Systems this is possible!

3.) Define the project bounding box – the volume of the box contains everything we want included in the quantity takeoff.
4.) Start subdividing that bounding box by any combination of Location Systems, floors and zones. For floors you would define the elevation; for zones the perimeter. It is important to note: the story elevations don’t have to relate to the floors in the BIM application. This means that you can optimize the floor locations for schedule and cost planning independent of the decisions made within the BIM authoring tool.
5.) Automatically recalculate the quantities – the elements that span multiple zones/floors are dynamically split and their quantities are distributed in the way the construction team will be constructing the building. The locations are persistent and saved in your project.
6.) Optimize the location sizes to ensure optimal flow. As 3D locations are changed quantities are updated and the schedule changes dynamically to reflect this better distribution of schedule tasks (quantities / production rates = durations).
Vico is the first solution to provide both geometry splitting and location-based quantities. And it is non-destructive – we keep the original elements so you can keep changing your mind as many times as you like without needing to keep returning to the original BIM to make tedious changes. All the locations are persistent in Vico Office LBS Manager and can be applied to new versions of the model.
Please be sure for forward along this invitation to the Project Execs, Schedulers, Estimators, Superintendents, and Project Managers on your team.
To learn more about Vico scheduling solutions, please access these resources:
Webinar: Location-Based Management System and Lean's Last Planner
Webinar: Planning AND Controlling the Schedule
Our Products: Vico 4D BIM Scheduling Solutions
Whitepaper: A Comparison of Tradition CPM to Location-Based Scheduling
Whitepaper: The Combination of Last Planner System and Location-Based Management System
Training: Video Training Tutorials for Schedulers and Planners
Learn from your peers with your peers at Fridays with Vico.
See highlights of this Fridays with Vico episode on the video clip below. If the content is meaningful to you and your BIM Team, please watch the entire archived movie via the link above.
System Requirements PC-based attendees: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista |
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Macintosh®-based attendees: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer |
Select Recorded Webinars
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Using the Model Progression Specification
Archived and available for your convenience 24/7
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An Introduction to LBMS and LPS
Archived and available for your convenience 24/7
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The New Preconstruction
August 6, 2010
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An Introduction to Model-Based Estimating
June 23, 2010
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Introduction to Vico Office Constructability Manager
March 17, 2010
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What You Need to Know Today about Seismic BIM
March 12, 2010
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The Business Value of BIM
January 29, 2010
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Taking BIM to the Enterprise
January 15, 2010
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BIM Knowledge Base of Cost and Time Elements
December 11, 2009
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Mastering Coordination and Constructability in a Hard Bid
November 13, 2009
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Mastering the 5D Cost Plan in a Hard Bid
October 16, 2009
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Vico Office Unplugged
October 2, 2009
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| Scheduling Strategies in a Hard Bid Environment
September 11, 2009
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Tracking Changes in Construction Drawing Sets
August 21, 2009
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Introducing BIM for Executives
August 7, 2009
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Vico Office for Preconstruction and Estimating Teams
July 17, 2009
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| Connecting the Conceptual Estimate to the MPS
June 26, 2009
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BIM 501: Model-Based Estimating
May 15, 2009
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| BIM 401: Model-Based Scheduling
May 1, 2009
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BIM 301 Webinar: New Contract Language
April 17, 2009
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BIM 201 Webinar: 3D/4D Coordination
April 3, 2009
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BIM 101 Webinar
March 20, 2009
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Swinerton Builders
February 27, 2009
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Introducing Vico Office
February 20, 2009
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The McGraw-Hill BIM SmartMarket Report
February 13, 2009
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Suffolk Construction and the Torrey Pines Project
January 30, 2009
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Hensel Phelps and the Denver Justice Center
January 23, 2009
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Trimble and Vico - Bringing BIM to the Field
January 16, 2009
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Webcor Builders and the Model Progression Specification
December 19, 2008
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St. Joseph's Mission Hospital Virtual Mock-Up Case Study
November 14, 2008
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Vico's Win the Deal Bundle
November 7, 2008
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Vico for Concrete: Lift Drawings and More
Oct 17, 2008
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Vico 101: An Introductory Webinar for Virtual Construction
Oct 13, 2008
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Virtual Construction with the PCL Family of Companies
Sept 25, 2008
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Orchestrating BIM the Vico Way
August 15, 2008
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