The old adage “measure twice, cut once” certainly applies to technology implementations. When it comes to moving from 2D drafting to full-fledged BIM and 3D parametric design, technology changes necessitate significant cultural, process and workflow standards adjustments as well. Based on hundreds of successful implementations, Avatech regards the following considerations vital to success.
1. Make a Real Commitment
BIM is not a technology solution. It requires the full commitment from senior management to overhaul existing work processes and to reconsider the need for a different mix of staff resources, in addition to selecting technology to propel the change.
2. Leadership, Resources and Change
BIM works best if someone at the senior management level acts as an evangelist for change. This person should have either direct experience working with technology to support BIM or should have toured other organizations to truly understand the benefits.
Set aside resources to ensure that your organization is not just buying software, but that a business process consultant will help you optimize the way the system fits with current and future business needs. The software investment will be realized more quickly if you invest in process engineering and training.
Recognize up front that your existing processes will likely change. Engage your team in the design of the new workflow so that they understand why change is necessary and how it can benefit the entire process.
3. Take a Phased Approach
The number one reason why BIM projects fail is because organizations attempt to bite off more than they can possibly chew. By phasing implementation over a period of months or years, projects can continue and available resources will not be stretched at the same time.
4. Run a Few Pilot Projects
Pilot projects should include measurable benchmarks so that the success or failure of the project can be tracked. They also allow you to work with the early technology adopters in your organization who will then become champions for the technology and important beacons of information to all staff.
5. Define & Measure ROI
When designing a BIM-based system, one way to look at developing benchmarks is to take a look at what is NOT currently working and set metrics against these areas. Common problem statements might sound like this:
“Building projects end up much more expensive than we estimate because they take too long and multiple drawing sets and updates cause too many construction errors.”
The objectives in this case contain associated measurable metrics. 1) Decrease time to completion and 2) reduce the number of construction errors. The goal metric in the first case might be “reduce time to completion by 20%” and in the second “reduce errors by 50%.”
We recommend that companies start with common challenges and then use the SMART formula for developing their objectives. SMART is an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. Using this formula, your organization can easily measure progress against these key performance indicators.
6. Perform an Asset Inventory
Not all drawing assets require the shift to BIM, and a careful examination of the assets that would derive the most benefit from 3D parametric modeling will reduce your workload and allow you to prioritize. Determine which designs you reuse most and start there.
7. Generate Full-Scale Requirements
Once the pilot project has proven the worth of the new system, develop requirements that define what your organization needs prior to jumping into a full-scale technology implementation. The objectives will drive requirements.
Typical objectives include:
* Provide clients with better, more realistic graphics upfront to help them visualize the final project
* Better, more accurate and quantifiable scheduling
* Develop sheet, drawing and object standards
* Manage revisions and varying design options better
* Integrate documentation with specifications
* Integrate changes from MEP and structural more smoothly
* Facilitate internal and external collaboration
* Ensure construction estimates are more accurate and dependable
8. Implement and Refine
Don’t be afraid to make changes to an ongoing process. Upon implementation of the new BIM system, your team may discover new ways to work that were not previously detailed in the specifications, but that are never-the-less beneficial. Make the technology work so it can be incrementally refined to meet the specific needs of your organization, to facilitate best practices and ensure you meet your business goals. At the end of the day, BIM is all about working more effectively as an organization so that you can deliver better products faster and more efficiently to your customers. For your organization BIM will mean new opportunities to provide more ancillary and coordinated services while elevating design integrity and innovation to the highest levels.
Beau Turner, Director Professional Services, Building Solutions Group, Avatech Solutions
Originally published in [acronym] magazine, Issue 4
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