How can you use BIM to reduce conflicts and change orders in design coordination?

1 What is BIM and how can it help?

BIM stands for building information modeling, and it is a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building. BIM can help reduce conflicts and change orders in design coordination by enabling a collaborative and integrated approach to design, where all the project participants can access, share, and update the same information throughout the project lifecycle. BIM can also facilitate the detection and resolution of design clashes, which are conflicts between different elements or systems in the design, such as pipes, ducts, beams, or walls.

2 How to use BIM for design coordination?

For effective design coordination with BIM, you need to follow some best practices and guidelines. These include defining the BIM goals, scope, and standards for your project, so that all team members understand their expectations and responsibilities. Establishing a BIM coordination process and schedule with assigned roles and responsibilities is also important. Utilizing a common data environment (CDE) to store and share BIM models and documents is necessary to avoid duplication, confusion, and errors. Additionally, using BIM coordination software and tools to perform clash detection and resolution, as well as generating reports and feedback can help identify and solve design conflicts before they become problems in the construction phase, as well as document the changes and decisions made.

4 What are the challenges of using BIM for design coordination?

Using BIM for design coordination can be challenging, and it's important to be aware of the potential issues. For example, BIM requires a different set of competencies than traditional design methods, and not all project team members may have the necessary skills or knowledge. Additionally, different software and formats used in BIM may not be compatible or interoperable, resulting in data loss or errors. Furthermore, there needs to be a clear coordination strategy and plan that all team members agree on, as well as a collaborative and integrated approach to design that everyone is willing to commit to.

5 How to overcome the challenges of using BIM for design coordination?

To successfully use BIM for design coordination, you must provide training and education to your project team members, select compatible and interoperable BIM software and formats, appoint a BIM coordinator or manager, and promote a BIM coordination culture. You should also ensure that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to use BIM tools and processes effectively and efficiently. Additionally, standards and protocols should be implemented to guarantee the quality and consistency of the BIM data. It is important to empower the BIM coordinator or manager to lead and manage the BIM coordination process, communicate with all project team members, encourage them to work together, share information, accept changes, respect each other, and trust one another.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?