Vico Guest Blogger #3: BIM Is a Process - Not a Thing, Not Software
Posted by Holly Allison on Fri, Feb 19, 2010 @ 08:55 AM
Our Guest Blogger series allows us to introduce the Vico Community to the thought leaders in the industry, to peers who are making a difference in the market, and to new ideas that are being debated.
We're pleased to introduce John Stebbins, Associate AIA, as the next voice in our Guest Blogger Series. John is the founder of Digital Vision Auotmation, a 3D technology provider and software trainer in Southern California. John has been on the front lines for the last 21 years transitioning the building industry from 2D drafting to 3D BIM.
John has been kind enough to pen some of his thoughts and perspectives on BIM and its adoption in the AEC industry for our readers. To see more ideas from this firm, bookmark their blog, All Roads Lead to BIM.
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BIM is a process, not a thing and not software, even though certain BIM software vendors would like you to think that their products ARE the only true way to BIM. The term is Building Information Modeling, not Building Information MODEL. It is a verb -- Modeling for Building Information.
Therefore, if an architect uses the BIM process to derive faster, more accurate, complete and integrated CDs, then he is leveraging the BIM process by creating a "virtual building model" to deliver his part of the design/build/operate process - and in most cases that is paper drawings.
But more and more owners and contractors want the virtual building model from which the CDs are derived. And yes, one day I believe we will be submitting BIMs to building departments to get approval; it will happen. The process of electronic code checking and BIM quality validation is already possible today, with software like Solibri. For now, we need paper...but my point is, architects can at least get to paper information better and faster via the BIM process.
Contractors want the virtual building model from the BIM process primarily for MEP Coordination and if they don't get it from the architects, they will often pay thousands of dollars to a third party to create a "constructability" model from 2D drawings, since MEP Coordination in 2D using light tables is a HUGE headache (meaning it wastes time and money) for contractors. Contractors are also beginning to use the constructability model for construction sequencing (4D building "dress rehearsals" e.g practicing building the building and doing virtual "what ifs") and project management, making them flawless when it comes time to really build the building. Extracting accurate estimates from the virtual building model follows as third priority in the contractor's use of BIM.
At this stage in the Building Industry transformation, I suggest we focus on how any or all stakeholders can leverage models from the BIM process however they can. Even though there are many models now, one day we will reach the Holy Grail of one integrated Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) model that travels downstream and picks up the necessary level of detail (LOD) as it chugs down the design/build/operate track. Then, we will not need to talk about BIM anymore, because we will all be doing it!
Right now, all stakeholders are doing the best they can to leverage a virtual building in any way they can, and as we progress it will all become even more integrated, as IPD and design/build becomes the norm.
Until that time, BIM continues to be a verb, and it is progressing!
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Leave your comments and questions for John here on the boards. We love to get a good discussion going!
If this is a topic on which you'd like to learn more and see more opinions, hop over to these posts:
I Rest My Case! 200 Models?!?!
One vs Multiple Models - or - "Should We Poly-Model-Doodle-All-the-Day?"