BIM Master Class Series

Vico Software has designed a series of virtual construction training classes for the AEC/O Community: the BIM Master Class Series.  Designed to work like college and graduate-level courses, the series grows progressively more difficult with complex theory, methodologies, and best practices.  The goal of the BIM Master Class series is simple: instruct as many construction professionals as possible about the many facets of BIM.  After completing the course curriculum, students (general contractors and owners) will be able to deploy the best practices for model-based coordination, model-based scheduling, and model-based estimating in their firm.

 

These classes are perfect for your firm if:

1.) You've started a BIM Working Group or Task Force to explore the possible solutions and methodologies;

2.) You've appointed a BIM Manager to evaluate which projects are appropriate for BIM and how to best execute upon them;

3.) You want an honest look at the marketplace and an honest appraisal of what progressive GCs are doing with BIM;

4.) You know that there is more to BIM than a model and clash detection - you want to get to BIM-driven schedules, estimates, and production control;

5.) You instinctively know that BIM software shouldn't come shrink-wrapped in a box and want to learn about industry best practices and methodologies from consulting experts who have delivered over 300 BIM projects worldwide.

 

Vico's BIM Master Class Series

Vico has archived the individual classes for your convenience.  Not only is the course content compelling and fresh, but the questions from the audience are hard-hitting and insightful.  Certainly, it is a resource your team will benefit from and enjoy.  To date, over 3,500 AEC/O professionals have participated in the program.

 

BIM 101: this course examines the progression from 2D drawings to the 3D model to the 4D schedule and the 5D estimate.  We also look at layouting solutions from Trimble and highlight how to use the preconstruction work as production control on the jobsite.

 

BIM 201: in this course we examined the subject of coordination.  Instead of concentrate on 3D clash detection, we introduced the idea of coordination in time and place.  This nuance is a very important distinction which helps tremendously with coordination priorities.

 

BIM 301: BIM contracts are starting to work their way into the legal lexicon and this primer on the ConsensusDOCs and AIA 202 is essential. Contracts play a central role in defining deliverables, interactions with project stakeholders, and risk obligations for commercial building projects.  Special guest speaker, Richard Lowe, Partner from Duane Morris LLP and chair of the AGC BIMForum Legal Subforum, delivers the course content.

 

BIM 401:  focused on the theme of model-based scheduling, this course highlighted flowline theory, a visualization of the crews by location by date.  We addressed major themes for Schedulers: location breakdown structures; task lists and logic; quantities in locations; task criticality and prioritization; risks; production control measures; contractor meeting procedures; and resource and production rate commitments.

 

BIM 501: model-based estimating starts with a robust construction quantity takeoff.  With these construction-caliber quantities, GCs can drive precise estimates and schedules.  And with the easy visualization the model affords, estimators can quickly see which elements have been costed already and which elements still need attention.  And it also allows Owners to see which/how areas of the building are contributing to the total cost of the building. 

 

BIM 502: even if the bid is due in two weeks, a massing model can still provide a great basis for the Conceptual Estimate.  This conceptual estimate can then be linked to the model progression specification.  Now the estimate can evolve alongside the design.  The "marketing bid" now becomes cost plan version one and numerous alternate cost plans can be quickly created to offer the Owner insight to the design iterations.  This data-driven decision making replaces 2D spreadsheet estimating.

 

BIM for Executives: the series concludes with a session specifically for senior managers. This course puts the dollars and cents around the technology, methodology, and personnel.  As company's embrace BIM and train their staff to use these new tools they find out, often too late, that there is a new language they need to learn and that they need to be prepared to translate for their clients. Senior managers, though they may never use the software or delve into the services, need to know what BIM does, how BIM works, and most importantly - how to sell it to clients and colleagues.

 

Check back to find out what's featured on the next Fridays with Vico Webinar Program, our free educational forum for General Contractors and Owners.  The series highlights best practices and case studies from customers, as well as showcases new product functionality and discusses industry trends.