BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING – 10 REASONS WHY YOU NEED BIM

INES MANSFELD, ALLPLAN GMBH, ALEMANIA

WHITEPAPER

BIM (Building Information Modeling) is the digital

working method for the building industry. BIM adds

values by enabling people, processes and tools

to work together effectively over the entire life

cycle of a building. A building project therefore has

greater transparency and quality, as well as more

reliable costs and schedules. With BIM, buildings

are planned, constructed and managed at higher

quality within the agreed schedule and budget. This

increases efficiency and protects resources and

the environment. For investors, building clients and

users, sustainable construction and management

results in an increase in and preservation of the

value of the building

WHAT IS BIM?

BIM (Building Information Modeling) is the digital

working method for the building industry. BIM adds

values by enabling people, processes and tools to

work together effectively over the entire life cycle

of a building. A building project therefore has greater

transparency and quality, as well as more reliable

costs and schedules.

Building projects are becoming more complex and

involve design professionals, project controllers,

investors and so on. On the one hand, this is due to

rapid technological developments, internationaliza-

tion and the higher demands made on the buildings.

On the other hand, urban and infrastructure

planning is posing its own challenges. In large cities,

living space is scarce, traffic is increasing, environ-

mental protection has become more important, and

new concepts are needed. This complexity has cau-

sed processes and players in the building industry

to become more specialized.

With BIM, communication and collaboration in the

project becomes transparent. Based on a digital

building model, BIM makes it possible to virtually

represent all processes in the life cycle of a building.

From the very beginning, all decisions can be sup-

ported by significant simulations and processes can

be optimized.

BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING – 10 REASONS WHY YOU NEED BIM

INES MANSFELD, ALLPLAN GMBH, GERMANY

> Thanks to BIM, agreements regarding deadlines,

costs and quality are observed – especially when

projects are processed in large teams or at a

range of locations.

> With BIM, construction times are adhered to –

even if the underlying conditions are difficult, for

example completion in building segments.

> BIM simplifies controlling – across the entire life

cycle of a building.

HOW DOES BIM WORK?

BIM connects people, processes and tools via

the BIM coordination model and thereby enables

the cross-discipline planning, construction and

management of buildings. A solid understanding of

BIM and defined processes forms the basis for this

integrated project processing. With BIM-enabled

software, all information relating to the building is

created and reliably managed. The result: transpa-

rency, quality, reliable costs and deadlines.

Higher quality thanks to the BIM

coordination model

A BIM project is based on the BIM coordination

model (integrated building model), which the BIM

coordinator creates by merging the individual

submodels from the various disciplines. The BIM

coordination model therefore contains all infor-

mation relating to the dimensions and position

of the components from all disciplines, as well as

their concrete features, such as thermal and sound

insulation properties, for example. Without these,

the individual discipline models and the BIM coordi-

nation model would merely consist of unspecified

objects such as lines, areas and volumes. When

properties are added, an unspecified object beco-

mes a component. For example, a simple volume

becomes a wall when the building-physics proper-

ties, costs, material, trade and fire protection class

are specified. As a result, all evaluations and

verifications, especially those required by law, can

be derived from the BIM coordination model.

The BIM coordination model is accessible to every-

one involved in the project and is used for informa-

tion exchange, which the BIM coordinator controls.

As in the conventional working method, planning

for the individual disciplines is carried out in the

individual models. The specialists in the various dis-

ciplines retain control over their individual models.

The BIM coordination model offers the specialists

several advantages over the conventional individual

model. On the one hand, virtual simulations can

be performed in the BIM coordination model. For

example, collision checks can be carried out to

identify early on inconsistencies with components

from other models and eliminate these before the

construction phase. However, the simulation can

also include the later use of the rooms and enable

technical systems to be measured more accurately.

On the other hand, work in the BIM coordination

model simplifies communication between all those

involved in the project, because all the latest infor-

mation about the building is available centrally.

The added value of the BIM coordination model

compared to the conventional individual models

lies in the increase in quality, which is particularly

important in the planning and design of complex or

technically challenging structures with complicated

BIM COORDINATION MODEL

In the BIM coordination

model the partial models of

the disciplines are brought

together and managed.

planning requirements. A further benefit is that

thanks to the assigned properties, the building

can be virtually depicted at any time and with all

information. As a result, thermal simulations can

be carried out at an early stage, for example, and

the energy consumption of the building can be

optimized.

The role of the BIM project team members

In the BIM working method, people, processes and

tools work together toward the goal together over

the entire life cycle of a building. All the informa-

tion is gathered together at a single point. A BIM

coordinator controls and coordinates this flow of

information in the project. He or she structures,

maintains and manages the BIM coordination model

and merges the individual models from the various

disciplines. As a central point of contact, the BIM

coordinator monitors schedules and budgets and

ensures that the guidelines and standards agreed

between all the project team members at the start

of the project are adhered to. Every company must

put together its BIM project team and ensure that

all team members are familiar with the BIM working

method. The project managers in the individual

disciplines are the interface between the BIM teams

and the BIM coordinator. They ensure that their

teams are provided with information and that they

process this information. They also inform the BIM

coordinator about changes and forward the latest

data to him or her.

Increasing value thanks to new possibilities for

building project management

The digitization that goes hand in hand with BIM

opens up new possibilities for building project

management: as a result of building and process

simulation over the entire life cycle, decisions can

be moved forward to earlier project phases. This

increases efficiency, protects resources and the

environment, and increases and sustains the value

of the building. For decisions to be made earlier, the

people and systems involved, as well as the com-

pany structures and processes must be considered

as a whole during project planning and taken into

account in the process definition.

Achieving success with the right tool

A BIM-enabled software is called a BIM tool. Various

factors play a role in a decision in favor of a parti-

cular product. On the one hand, the workforce’s

experiences and knowledge are important. On the

other hand, the company’s technical equipment

(hardware and software) and that of the concrete

planning partners should be taken into considerati-

on, along with the corporate BIM strategy.

If the company’s BIM strategy involves using

the BIM method only within the company or the

specific discipline, different demands are made on

the BIM-enabled software than if information is to

be exchanged with other partners involved in the

building project. Use only within the company or the

specific discipline is also known as “Little BIM”. The

added value here consists in the ability to access

and use all information, such as quantity schedules

and bills of materials with associated prices or spe-

cial production data, at any time.

The other way of using the BIM method is the

cross-discipline collaboration between all those

involved across the entire life cycle of the building,

also known as “Big BIM”. In this method, the

BIM-enabled software must permit smooth data

exchange between all the parties involved. This is

> With BIM, all the information about a building is

managed centrally – as a result, evaluations and

verifications can be derived from the BIM coordi-

nation model at all times.

> With the BIM coordination model it is possible to

identify discrepancies across disciplines – inclu-

ding in the early stages too.

> BIM enables building and process simulations

across the entire life cycle – this increases effi-

ciency, protects resources and the environment

and also increases and preserves the value of the

building.

done, independently of the software involved, with

the help of neutral data formats (IFC - Industry

Foundation Classes or BCF - BIM Collaboration

Format).

The use of neutral data formats across all dis-

ciplines is also called “openBIM”. This contrasts

with the use of data formats of only one program

or one program family across all disciplines. This

BIM method is also known as “closedBIM”. Every

BIM-enabled software has an open IFC interface

that permits information exchange with another

BIM software. The method name therefore merely

reflects how the BIM-enabled software is used.

WHY BIM?

The option of early building and process simulation

with BIM provides comprehensive transparency.

Planning, construction and operation can be coor-

dinated with each other. The added value consists

in higher quality as a result of reliable costs and the

minimization of planning errors.

Secure a competitive advantage with BIM

BIM has become globally relevant for the entire

building industry. Local and international associa-

tions are addressing issues at political and industrial

level relating to standardization and the mandatory

introduction of BIM for construction planning ser-

vices. The “EU BIM Task Group” for example is made

up of 14 EU member states that have made the

across-the-board implementation of BIM for public

building projects their aim. Other examples include

the US National BIM Standards Committee (NBIMS)

or buildingSMART. The NBIMS is recognized by

a range of organizations and experts across the

whole world, and the buildingSMART organiza-

tion is established in more than 30 countries. In

some countries, use of the BIM method is already

a specification and standard for project proces-

sing. Companies that already use the BIM method

therefore already have a competitive advantage on

the international stage and are well-prepared for

the future.

Increase planning reliability with BIM

Smooth communication and consistent information

and knowledge transfer are just as important as

transparency when striving to ensure good project

management, from development through to facility

management. This is achieved if all parties can

access current information from any place, at any

time. It is not only the communication between the

design professionals that is crucial here; communi-

cation with building clients and decision-makers is

just as important. Quick decisions are often needed

in the planning and building process. The BIM coordi-

nation model with its assigned properties provides

all the information needed to make these decisions,

regardless of whether they relate to the design

version, detailed solutions or the actual execution.

Better communication with BIM

BIM simplifies communication with all those invol-

ved over the entire planning process. Planning and

construction progress can be depicted realistically

based on the BIM coordination model. As a result,

the building client has a better grasp of the design

idea and can see the impact of changes more easily,

for example how costs could be affected.

Transparent communication is particularly import-

ant in large public projects. The building client should

involve citizens in the process from an early stage,

and this involvement should be open and ongoing.

This involves informing the general public about

costs, schedules, project changes and risks at regu-

lar intervals. With the BIM coordination model, this

information is available at all times.

Become an attractive employer with BIM

Use of the BIM method is also an advantage when

positioning your company as an attractive emplo-

yer. This is particularly true if there is a shortage

of skilled workers, which particularly affects large

offices that need more employees. By using the BIM

method, a company shows that it is open to digitiz-

ation and is able to react to new requirements. The

company thus positions itself as a secure employer

that keeps pace with the competition.

LITTLE BIM

describes the BIM application

in one’s own company or

own discipline

BIG BIM

describes the interdiscipli-

nary BIM application across

the entire building life cycle

OPENBIM

describes the format-neutral

BIM application

CLOSEDBIM

describes the format-linked

BIM application with one

software solution

HOW IS BIM IMPLEMENTED IN THE COMPANY

To exploit the advantages of the BIM method and

profit from its added value, you must agree on and

comply with standards and processes. This is true

not only for the people involved in the BIM project

itself, but also for all company employees and exe-

cutive management

Implementation starts with management

Depending on the organization in your office, em-

ployees may have to adapt to new requirements. If

only the 2D working method was previously used

in the company, employees need to expand their

knowledge so that they can switch to the BIM me-

thod and must prepare for new workflows. In some

cases, the previously applied standards may need

to be revised and employees may need to receive

training. In a decision in favor of BIM, management

must therefore involve employees and undertake a

joint analysis of the actual situation. The old wor-

king method, the existing hardware and software,

the type of projects previously executed, the

project partners and the previous risks must be ex-

amined. This can be used to define which processes

and technical equipment management must adapt

in order to facilitate BIM.

Another important task for management is the

drafting of a BIM strategy. This strategy should

clearly define the goal of implementing BIM in

the company, and specify which processes and

standards must be observed. One goal could be

increasing efficiency in planning thanks to improved

workflows, or improving controlling by means of re-

liable cost control, for example. However, the acqui-

sition of new clients or planning partners could also

constitute part of the BIM strategy. Before the start

of the project, management then defines realistic

interim goals to be achieved in the initial BIM steps.

The interim goals are dependent on the project as

well as the team’s existing BIM knowledge. One

interim goal could be developing new standards, or

planning a complete trade in accordance with BIM,

for example.

In addition to the goals, the strategy should define

the first company divisions in which BIM will be

used. In companies with multiple sites, it is advisa-

ble to start with one site and inform the other sites

about the progress and the information obtained in

regular communications. Another possibility would

be to start the implementation in one department.

This decision depends on the structure of the

company.

The strategy can become increasingly compa-

ny-specific as the company gathers more and

more experience of BIM, allowing the strategy to be

adapted to the lessons learned

> BIM is already the reference and standard for pro-

ject implementation in some countries – compa-

nies which currently use BIM are internationally

competitive and ready for the future.

> BIM ensures smooth transfer of information and

knowledge – the key to successful project ma-

nagement from development through to Facility

Management.

> Via BIM verifiable statements concerning costs

and deadlines can be made at any time – this

facilitates considerably the handling of major

projects.

Small steps toward the use of BIM

A definition of the BIM strategy concludes the

theoretical part, and the strategy then needs to

be put into practice. For this, management must

first appoint a BIM team. Ideally, the BIM team will

consist of CAD experts as well as employees who

are familiar with project management, for example

project managers. With this team, management de-

fines a BIM pilot project. The choice of a pilot project

and its processing depends on the BIM strategy.

Here, it is clear to see how important it is to define a

BIM strategy.

During project definition, the level of detail for cre-

ation of the building model is also specified. In the

initial phase, a model does not need to contain all

the detailed information. In the early planning pha-

ses, for example, a space model may suffice, which

is used to check the building client’s requirements

relating to the space allocation plan and to make

statements on the costs based on the volume. This

is particularly helpful for complex buildings. In the

design phase, for example, a less detailed model

can be used to check the relationship between the

costs of the unfinished structure and the available

budget.

The depth of detail for form and display therefore

depends on the planning phase, and may vary. The

level of detail (LoD) has become established to

facilitate a common understanding of this among

BIM users. The level of detail is also known as the

level of definition or the level of development. The

five basic levels, from LoD 100 (conceptual model)

to LoD 500 (as built model), describe the levels

from the conceptional representation through to

the precise design.

Exploit flexibility in design and have the courage to

make changes

During the BIM pilot project, the BIM team finds

out the areas in which improvements still need

to be made to ensure an optimum BIM workflow.

The team reports to management and outlines its

recommendations. Management ensures that the

recommendations are heeded and put into practice.

These could be strategic – for example adaptation

of the BIM goals – or operative adjustments, such

as employee training. To guarantee this, manage-

ment’s task is to ensure a regular exchange of

information between the BIM team and manage-

ment – and across the whole company, if several

locations are involved. As a result, the company is

made BIM-ready step by step.

LOD = LOG + LOI

LOD (Level of Detail)

describes the entire

level of detail

LOG (Level of Geometry)

describes the geometric

level of detail

LOI (Level of Information)

describes the level of detail

of the propertiesLOD 400

LOD 200

LOD 300

LOD 100

CONCLUSION

Digital working methods have become standard

in the construction sector but these working

methods must keep pace with the increasing com-

plexity of many building projects. The BIM working

method creates added value because planners

interact systematically throughout the entire

building life cycle, using standardized processes

and tools. BIM is the digital representation of all the

physical and functional characteristics of a building

and, thanks to the shared collection of the project

data by all planning partners, creates a reliable deci-

sion-making tool during the entire building life cycle,

from the earliest idea right through to demolition.

But what can be achieved using the BIM working

method which the traditional, tried and tested

processes are unable to deliver? Construction of

a new building is generally preceded by extensive

planning. Architects, civil engineers and many spe-

cialist planners exchange all manner of construc-

tion documents after the design stage, until finally

a version is available which forms the guideline

for implementation of the builder’s requirements

at the construction sites. Usually, the specialist

planners work in parallel on their construction plans

and clarify details with lengthy regular meetings

which cost time and can lead to mistakes. The BIM

working method facilitates collaboration since all

planning partners can have access to uniform and

consistent data and changes take place transpa-

rently and in real time.

Many planners maintain that a third dimension

at the plan representation level would make the

working drawings process a more complex one, the

time required would increase, and also intensify the

need for clarification with the builder and specialist

planner. The opposite is true. The BIM working

method does not require a greater level of com-

plexity than the conventional methods of working

drawings; instead, clear and fail-safe evaluations are

available for tenders and allocations.

With BIM building planning becomes more transpa-

rent, and thus leads to a rise in quality and the cost

and schedule reliability increase. In addition, BIM is

far more than a software implementation in which

a 3-D model is generated and used. It is a working

method which connects people via state-of-the-

art technologies.

This aspect should not be underestimated since,

despite the involvement of highly skilled, globally

recognized and highly renowned architects and en-

gineers, buildings in many countries have demons-

trated how cost structures and date announce-

ments can quickly spiral out of control without BIM.

ALLPLAN is a leading European vendor of open

solutions for BIM (Building Information Model-

ling). For more than 50 years, the company has

supported the AECOM industry with a pioneering

software portfolio and is playing a key role in pro-

moting the digitalisation of the building industry:

innovative, geared to the requirements of custo-

mers – and with best quality “Made in Germany”.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

© Allplan GmbH, Munich, Germany

> There is great potential in the BIM working me-

thod for improving quality and efficiency in the

entire process of construction and usage..