With the growing importance of digital transformation in the construction industry. How do you think the adoption of BIM is changing the landscape of the industry in Latin America, and specifically in Guatemala?
«BIM is proving its worth in projects by making design processes more efficient and enabling better monitoring of construction processes. And with all these improvements come greater demands, for which professionals must be prepared. The Design firms have better communication with construction firms, better coordination among trades, and better management of staffing requirements There is growing evidence that professionals must have knowledge of BIM processes in order to join teams working toward BIM implementation. Attitudes are changing, and even end customers no longer expect just a set of blueprints for their projects, but rather a complete model that they can visualize well before construction begins.«
The implementation of BIM may face resistance due to a lack of training or resources. What strategies would you recommend to overcome these challenges and ensure successful adoption in large-scale projects?
«The initial approach For teams that want to implement BIM, this is very important because They should be aware of all the benefits and improvements they will experience in the project design process, and not only will all these improvements benefit the project, but on a professional level, each person will gain the tools to become more competitive in the workforce. The next step is the definition of information management processes, since it won't require a large investment of resources, and you'll be able to see an improvement in information management. These two actions will make a noticeable difference the importance of implementing BIM and the cost-effectiveness that an initial investment in staff training, computer equipment, and specialized software will bring to projects.«
In your work on infrastructure projects… What have been the biggest challenges you've faced in implementing BIM, and how have you overcome them? What lessons have you learned that you could share with other professionals in the industry?
«I've faced several challenges while working on infrastructure projects, but one of the most notable is the idea, that This type of project does not require defined processes, standards, or BIM implementation manuals.. It is commonly believed that this approach is suitable for architectural projects, such as housing or buildings, but not for roads, water projects, or bridges. The way to overcome these challenges is to demonstrate that there are many stakeholders involved in these projects and that The information to be shared must be structured, consistent, and useful. One of the major problems is the urgency of deliveries, and »The feeling that there's no time to try something new when everything is urgent. But if everything is urgent, it's clear that it will continue to be so, and unless you decide to prioritize your projects, you'll keep working without the improvements that proper implementation offers."
In the context of BIM education and training… How do you see the future of learning in this field? Do you think emerging technologies, such as virtual or augmented reality, will play an important role in training construction professionals?
«BIM education and training are very important. I believe that, in addition to being project managers, We need to promote the training of specialists in the use of BIM tools. I've noticed that construction firms are using drones to monitor their projects. These are tools that weren't available before, but are now essential. Likewise, virtual reality and augmented reality, these are technologies that have not yet been fully adopted in construction offices, but once they are, and the efficiency they bring to project communication becomes apparent, they will play an important role in the life cycle of a construction project.«
In closing… What would you say to the professionals of the future, and why would you recommend that they pursue the Master’s in BIM Management?
«The design and construction of projects continues to be an exciting and challenging profession, and right now it is undergoing a digital transformation that we should view not as a problem, but as an opportunity—an opportunity to become more competent in our work, to better communicate the solutions we propose, and to make more efficient use of resources for investors. Companies are realizing the need to include BIM project managers on their teams, and entrepreneurs now recognize that they must provide better service by adopting BIM as their standard way of working.”. It's a great opportunity to specialize and excel in an increasingly competitive world and keep pace with technological advances in the industry.«
We are deeply grateful to Vinicio Sulá for sharing your valuable experience and insights in this interview. Your perspectives on BIM management and its impact on the modern construction industry have been extremely enlightening. We are confident that your advice and insights will be of great use to all professionals in the sector. We wish you every success in your future projects and in your ongoing work as Director of the Master's Degree in BIM Management on Structuralia. Thank you, Vinicio, for your time and for inspiring us to keep innovating!
