The new Spanish regulations which, since last year, has required the use of BIM in all public construction bids and, as of July 2019, in infrastructure projects as well, has led an increasing number of companies in the sector to decide to implement this methodology in their projects.
However, implementing it within an organization is not a simple process that can be accomplished with just a change in software. To do so, it will be necessary to involvement of all members of the company.
Once the decision has been made to implement BIM, it is necessary to develop a BIM Implementation Plan (BIP), which is generally led by a BIM Manager.
How to Implement BIM in Your Company
Below is an example of a BIP, outlining the steps that can be taken to gradually implement BIM in a company in this sector.
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Organizational Analysis
The first step that must be taken, once management has decided to implement this work method, is to conducting an audit. To do this, it will be necessary to examine, among other things, the organization’s characteristics, its level of BIM expertise, the composition of its staff, its existing infrastructure, its current work processes, and any other information deemed necessary.
The audit results will give us a more objective understanding of our company's current situation, and based on that, we will be able to develop an implementation plan specifically designed to meet the company's needs.
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BIM Assessment and Implementation Plan Proposal
After the data has been collected, it is necessary to perform a organizational assessment, the team that makes it up, the infrastructure it has, and the processes currently in place.
Next, the proposal for the BIM Implementation Plan, taking into account both the implementation model to be used and the phases to be carried out. It is important to note that the implementation of the BIP should not disrupt the company's daily operations.
As for the implementation model, there are three main options to choose from:
- Completely revamp the team with professionals specialized in BIM methodology.
- Bring in a specialized BIM team to assist us with the implementation.
- Train the current team so that they are proficient in BIM methodology.
Once you have chosen the model, it is essential to specify the implementation phases. The first phase will be training, and it is only necessary if the current work group is to be retained.
In the second phase, we will address the processes affected by the use of BIM in order to adapt them to the new work method. Finally, in the third phase, we will select and will carry out a pilot project with which the company will take its first step into the world of Building Information Modeling.
The selection of software The project in which BIM will be implemented must also be specified in the PIB, since it will be necessary to purchase licenses and upgrade computer equipment.
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BIM Model Creation and Training Plan
The learning process of the engineering teams is essential for the successful implementation of the methodology within the company. To this end, and based on the data gathered from the audit, we can determine the level of knowledge about BIM that workers have.
Based on that, and on the specific role each person will take on within the method, it will be essential to conduct a training plan. This can be divided into two parts: one providing more general information about what BIM is, its benefits, the tools used, etc., and another more specific section focused on the skills each engineer will need in their role.
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Return on Investment (ROI)
Finally, it is interesting to conduct a Return on Investment (ROI) Study involved in implementing BIM within the company. To do so, it will be necessary to estimate the investment required for software and hardware purchases, training, process adjustments, infrastructure maintenance, etc., as well as the expected benefits that its implementation will bring.
Ultimately, the use of BIM is a very important step for a company, which is why it is essential to conduct a thorough analysis of the organization and develop a BIM plan that is tailored to it.
If you want to have the required skills To help your company implement BIM methodology, we offer the Master’s Degree in BIM Management, as well as master’s programs in BIM applied to Civil Engineering, Building Construction, and Industrial Plants, all of which cover this topic.
