Building Information Modeling (BIM) is no longer just a tool to facilitate building design. Instead, it has become a product in itself: a comprehensive digital approach that goes beyond 3D modeling to integrate data-rich collaboration, lifecycle management, regulatory compliance and improved operational efficiency.
As a deliverable, the digital construction model provides all stakeholders with a single source of truth, enabling smarter and more sustainable project and asset management.
Most US companies use BIM as a design and construction tool. However, few people consider it a deliverable, in part due to perceived limitations of technology and barriers to access to project teams.
“Only a few people know where the BIM file is,” said Budi Susanto, managing director of LeapThought Asia. LeapThought’s FULCRUMHQ is a leading integrated digital delivery platform. “Contractors need to stop just designing in 3D and start building in 3D.”
Government mandates drive BIM adoption
Governments around the world are recognizing the value of BIM, even mandating its use to improve construction outcomes. These new policies are driving a global shift towards BIM adoption.
For example, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Norway, Finland and Malaysia have significant BIM mandates to improve the efficiency and quality of their construction projects.
In the United States, the approach to BIM mandates is fragmented, although several forward-thinking states and localities are making strides toward adoption. Notable examples include state transportation and facilities agencies in California, Colorado, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin, all of which have implemented BIM requirements or established BIM protocols for select projects. Even local municipalities are adopting BIM. Broward County in Florida has long been a leader in the adoption of BIM in the US; for example, the Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD) has developed a flexible BIM standard with clearly defined deliverables, aligning your goals and objectives with the National Building Information Modeling Standard.
The push for greater BIM adoption in the US is encouraging more contractors to consider whether and how their processes allow them to optimize the technology.
Integrated digital delivery makes the most of BIM
How can contractors around the world respond to new BIM requirements while leveraging BIM efficiently and effectively for project delivery?
For a growing number of companies, the answer is Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) — an increasingly popular approach to design and construction that connects all physical and digital aspects of a project into an intelligent Common Data Environment (CDE) that is easily accessed by all stakeholders.
IDD improves BIM in several ways. Project teams using IDD expertise:
- Better collaboration.
- Smarter process automation.
- Greater transparency.
- Increased data-driven decision making.
By leveraging IDD, construction teams can access real-time data, streamline workflows and reduce errors, leading to more successful project outcomes. All these digital connections transform the construction model into a product in itself, rather than a tool.
Although many AECO companies use BIM in their projects, IDD goes beyond simple use. “Unlike closed systems, best-in-class IDD platforms welcome all your data, regardless of source. This opens up a wealth of possibilities,” said Ratnakar Garikipati, founder and CEO of LeapThought.
Case study: Singapore’s success with BIM and IDD
Singapore, which chose LeapThought’s FULCRUMHQ as its national digital construction platform, stands out as a world leader in adoption of BIM and IDD. The country’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has been proactive in promoting BIM through initiatives such as the BIM Roadmap and the IDD Implementation Plan, harnessing the power of true digital construction.
For contractors, the results translate into exceptional gains in time, efficiency and quality, including:
- 65% reduction in rework.
- 55% less time supervising site works and managing projects.
- 50% less time on design coordination approvals.
- 30% less time to review and approve documents.
“Singapore’s commitment to BIM and IDD has set a benchmark for the global construction industry. By integrating digital technologies, we are able to deliver projects more efficiently and with greater precision,” said Susanto.
Make the change to the BIM as a deliverable
As Singapore demonstrates, using an IDD-focused platform helps teams get more out of BIM, such as:
- Improved results: IDD-enabled BIM leads to better project planning and execution, resulting in higher quality buildings and infrastructure.
- Cost savings: By reducing errors and rework, IDD + BIM lowers construction costs.
- Biggest Collaboration: BIM supported by an IDD platform encourages collaboration between all project stakeholders, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
To reap the benefits of BIM as a deliverable, companies must overcome common BIM-related challenges. These include:
- Leadership Commitment: Senior management must align BIM initiatives with strategic goals, allocate necessary resources, drive change management efforts, establish policies and governance, and monitor performance. Singapore serves as an excellent example, where the government’s mandate for BIM on specific construction projects has significantly improved project coordination, efficiency and overall construction quality.
- Learning curve: Adopting BIM requires training and a change in mindset, which can be challenging for some teams.
- Implementation costs: The initial investment in BIM software and training can be substantial.
- Data management: Effective data management is crucial to realizing the full potential of BIM, and this requires robust systems and processes.
This change management may seem daunting, but it requires less resources than many fear. “With the right software and the right partner, you’ll be amazed at how easy and inexpensive it is to implement IDD,” Garikipati said.
Preparing for success in the BIM era
To fully leverage the benefits of BIM as a deliverable, construction professionals should:
- Invest in training and education: Ensure all team members are familiar with BIM tools and processes.
- Foster a collaborative mindset: Encourage open communication and teamwork between all agents involved in the project.
- Embrace digital tools and platforms: Use the latest digital technologies to improve BIM processes.
- Focus on effective data management: Implement sound data management practices to maintain the integrity and accessibility of BIM data.
The global shift towards BIM is gaining momentum. By implementing an IDD platform to support their BIM processes, AEC firms can enable better collaboration, accuracy and efficiency between their project teams and the entire organization.
“It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing process,” Garikipati said. “You can start using IDD for things like BIM submissions and collaboration, and then continue to connect your entire ecosystem over time.”
To learn more about how LeapThought’s FULCRUMHQ integrated digital delivery platform can help your team get the most out of BIM, visit LeapThought.com/fulcrumhq.
