BIM and Workshare: Changing the Way We Practice
- By Michael Jansen
“ Many have argued that unlike CAD, BIM is an integral part of the design process, in which case, it would be difficult to really outsource it. The next few years should tell us if BIM can be outsourced as successfully as it has been done for computer programming and other IT fields.” wrote Lachmi Khemlani, the founder and editor of AECbytes, while reporting on the AIA National Convention 2006. I'll start with this evocative observation as I discuss the merits of BIM and workshare, and describe how together they can change the way we practice.
The deployment of cutting-edge technology is a core strategy for global AEC firms as they work towards increasing profitability and improving efficiency. Take BIM, for instance. There are arguments in both directions about BIM, but the fact is that it presents a unique opportunity for design firms to generate a cohesive, information-rich, holistic virtual building model with the evolved contributions of all disciplines. It eliminates much of the potential for conflict between the services and enables quick changes, largely because all the engineering information is contained within the model already. So, as any part of the model is modified, one can see the immediate impact on the overall building project with respect to coordination issues, budget, and scheduling. BIM also presents an opportunity for designers to visualize their structures in advance, which is a useful tool in the design process.
Why isn't everyone using BIM, in that case?
Well, as with anything else, migrating to BIM involves a disruption in the work flow, especially because firms are unwilling to make the investment and are also unsure of how to make the transition. It seems to me over the last few years of dealing with principles in many of America's top firms, that there is not going to be a general migration to BIM so quickly, but indeed it will happen. The problem is that we feel there is not enough support right now for firms that are trying to transition to BIM. There is a definite need for a transition process business, which is where we are moving, ultimately involving front end processes which will enable firms to transition from one platform to another and backend processes that support the model making and data enrichment process.
Workshare - a global practice model
With the BIM paradigm, there are many parts of the modeling process that can be separated out so as to suit workshare including data enrichment and modeling that are best handled by specialized teams working in a globally co-coordinated workshare environment that takes advantage of different skill sets from different parts of the world, and different efficiencies from different time zones etc. And we now think that it is possible that in fact workshare may help drive some firms towards the BIM platform as they will simply need to tap into various globally-available BIM-centric production resources. These specialized teams can also assist contractors in preparing accurate estimates to bid and win profitable projects.
But then, why isn't everyone migrating to BIM?
Currently, market penetration in the A world in the U.S. is about 3-5% today. There is some distance to travel. Besides, there are still issues out there that software companies and the potential users of BIM software must address before adoption can really take off. Many users complain that the softwares are not functional enough yet for their needs. Producers will need to keep making better and better products, and devising innovative methods for e-training/on-site at a large-scale. Beyond that, certainly, interoperability is a major issue - there are a number of softwares out there right now which are in the game, all looking at different potential markets, all with very different philosophies. I have spoken to senior executives at a number these companies to understand their philosophies and their arguments are all valid. It is a big world out there. We have made certain decisions that are appropriate to our current concentration of clientele and will continue to try to stay on top of things.
So the question is, though, how do they all interoperate. No one has been able to answer that question yet, and this is one issue that promoters must contend with when faced with the decision to deploy one software or another. Now, the sooner that this issue can get resolved, the easier it will be for the firms to adapt/adopt. For example, what happens if you move to one platform and your client demands another model? It is a difficult problem to address because the amount of training that goes into specific BIM software packages is significant.
We move people in our company from software to software and they require new training each time. So currently there is need for a third-party organization to create master BIM models of various building products, an information-rich, interoperable 3D shared product library wherein these software non-software specific models will be created for general consumption enabling firms to work with any software. So, I would hope, at some point, to see some consolidation, which is not happening right now. Instead, what is going to happen is that there are going to be various software products that come up and have various advantages for various kinds of companies. And I think that those softwares that are specific and user friendly and also have a high element of interoperability are going to be the softwares that will succeed in the future.
Workshare and BIM - the operating paradigm
If you look at the Building Information Model evolution and development process, there are certain processes that are intrinsic to creating that BIM model, which can be separated out and evaluated in a specialized environment, where those processes are handled more efficiently, more accurately and more cost effectively. Data enrichment and partial modeling are two processes that can be workshared, along with conflict detection, estimation and construction visualization.
And the way that workshare works with BIM is different from the way outsourcing works with CAD. With outsourcing CAD work, assignments are task driven and typically lower-end requiring less architectural and construction knowledge to complete. With BIM, the workshare team is comprised of knowledge-enabled construction-modelers who can not be disassociated from the design manager. So in its next evolutionary form, the construction-modeler will need to be actively engaged with the design manager as he or she develops the model, along with the other disciplines so that as information is being gathered, the model is automatically updated and re-coordinated, and easily accessible by the owner and contactor.
I think that's the way forward, and have seen a number of firms adopt this model and it has been highly successful for them and they are reaping the benefits. We now have a system in place with them wherein we can complete BIM models in less time than we used to do CAD documentation. So, it's getting interesting.
BIM and Workshare changing the way we practice
Will be contingent on two things: one, developments/upgrades in BIM software must continue to make reasonable sense and keep pace with industry needs; and the other, of course, is that companies like ours must continue to evolve and improve. Both BIM and workshare are in right now in process of learning and upgrading and very rapidly. BIM a few years ago and BIM today is a very different scene; and outsourcing a few years ago and outsourcing today is a very different scene as well. One can only predict both will eventually grow together.
I believe strongly that owners and contractors will benefit the most initially, and perhaps ultimately. Today they suffer from delays and overruns that are often a matter of co-ordination (or lack thereof) between the disciplines. Such incidences will be mitigated with the BIM model. And ultimately, the owners and the contractors will benefit because their projects are more likely to be completed on schedule and within budget than before - which ultimately benefits everyone on the BIM wheel as we should hope to see less litigation and fewer charge-offs.
So in fact, owners at this stage have little to lose by requiring their contractors and their AE consultants deliver BIM models. Before they do that, they would need to develop a competency internally wherein perhaps they establish their own BIM project division to manage the new deliverable. Owners will need help making the transition and setting up the basic infrastructure, however, ultimately the benefits will far outweigh the initial investment.
“ In the end, the practitioner of the twenty-first century is unlike the twenty-first century citizen. Confronted with an overwhelming amount of information and technology, it is understandable that some will hold on to established, comfortable methods of living. Others will see the almost endless amount of opportunity available to those who choose to educate and challenge themselves with new precepts. Know your options, enjoy your choice.” - from the AIA Report on Integrated Practice.
About the author: Michael Jansen is the President and CEO of Satellier - a leading workshare partner to the global AEC industry, providing value-added design support solutions evolving from CAD documentation, 3D modeling and BIM services to architecture, engineering, and construction firms.
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