BIM Building Information Modeling 1 - (Page 2)

Cover Images: Mortenson Construction How Building Information Modeling (BIM) is Dramatically Transforming the Design, Building and Operation of Projects Stephen A Jones Senior Director, McGraw-Hill Construction Introduction Without a doubt, the construction industry is in the midst of an unprecedented revolution. The growing adoption of modeling technologies to design and analyze projects is providing powerful new value to many different kinds of companies in the industry. Simultaneously we are undergoing another major shift as we increasingly embrace closer collaboration between people working together on projects and integrating their work products. This helps to eliminate traditional inefficiencies and common problems by sharing information earlier with knowledgeable members of what has traditionally been a linear design, procure, supply, build and operate process. This is truly the most transformative time our industry has ever experienced. It will forever change the way projects are designed, built and managed, and everyone's business will be affected. In this article I will: • Outline the current inefficiencies of the AEC industry, which have a created ripe environment for the BIM revolution. • Describe 3 Key Concepts of BIM that will help you understand its far-reaching importance. • Show examples of how a number of companies are using BIM tools and processes to improve project outcomes. • Explain briefly what McGraw-Hill Construction is doing with regard to BIM. • Recommend actions your company can take and resources to help you get started adopting, or advance your progress of implementing BIM. State of the Construction Industry In order to understand the magnitude of this transformational change it is important to step back and look at the construction industry as a whole and the challenges faced by the companies operating in it. Construction is the largest industry on the planet Earth. Total construction activity topped $5Trillion globally in 2007. Yet, despite its size construction is a uniquely fragmented industry, where in the US alone there are 1.25 million companies in the industry, and over 98% of them employ less than 50 people. And each project team typically involves a new combination of these companies coming together to design and build a completely unique project with specialized requirements, products and processes. Add to this the fact that the various team members each use different technology tools to perform their work. And usually the information generated by these technology tools can not be shared easily and efficiently between project team members. Typically these technology tools were designed to perform a specific task for a particular team member, not to “interoperate” with each other. So, information remains trapped in “silos” and usually has to be transferred to paper in order to be exchanged, reviewed and made functional for a project team. Further confounding progress, 2- 2 BIM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of BIM Building Information Projects No 1

Cover How Building Information Modeling (BIM) is Dramatically Transforming the Design, Building and Operation of Projects An Interview with a Local AGC Chapter on Its Nationwide BIM Training and Validation Program Launch BIM - more than just a clash detection tool A Contractor Tells How They Made BIM Work for Their Firm BIM’S Sixth Dimension: RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY ALLOCATION Experiencing the Benefits of a New Tool AIA Member Perspectives on BIM Thoughts From a Digital Imaging Firm

BIM Building Information Projects No 1

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.