Overview of Responsibilities:
As stated in the introduction, BIM is a tool. Recent advances in computer hardware and software have made BIM technology available and relevant to the work of all members of a project team. The use of BIM may well change the ways that projects are conceived, designed, communicated and defined, but this tool will not change the core responsibilities of the members of the project team.
In a fully integrated 3D virtual construction environment contractors and construction managers will still need to organize and lead the onsite construction effort. No amount
of technology will replace the need for a well-thought-out approach to construction that will allow each specialty contractor to apply its skills in a safe environment.
Responsibilities That Must be Recognized and Accommodated by BIM Processes:
Submit Process
Shop drawings, like slide rules and blueprints, may become a thing of the past, but
the dialogue between designers and builders that is the basis of the submittable process
must continue to be accommodated. Regardless of the medium of communication, it is necessary that the builder and designer confirm that the design intent is correctly interpreted prior to procurement of materials and performance of construction. The safety and economy derived from this system of checks and balances is essential to the success of the project.
the dialogue between designers and builders that is the basis of the submittable process
must continue to be accommodated. Regardless of the medium of communication, it is necessary that the builder and designer confirm that the design intent is correctly interpreted prior to procurement of materials and performance of construction. The safety and economy derived from this system of checks and balances is essential to the success of the project.
Changes
BIM processes must accommodate changes. Changes are part of the building process, and no amount of technology will or should prevent them. Regardless of the delivery method, the design team must be able to present the various alternative design solutions at a schematic level in a form that can be evaluated and refined as the project moves forward. Design is an iterative process that spirals toward a final solution. It is not a straight line progression, and attempts to force it to fit a contrived work-fl ow to facilitate BIM implementation will obscure the ultimate goals of the project.
Impact of 2D or 3D design on Project Responsibilities
Whether the design is issued in the form of 2D printed documents or a 3D electronic
medium or in a combination of both, the responsibilities of the members of the project
team remain unchanged. However, it is not necessary to go to this level in the 3D model for it to be effective. The important issue is to ensure that project team members thoroughly understand the nature, value and exactitude of the information that is being conveyed.
medium or in a combination of both, the responsibilities of the members of the project
team remain unchanged. However, it is not necessary to go to this level in the 3D model for it to be effective. The important issue is to ensure that project team members thoroughly understand the nature, value and exactitude of the information that is being conveyed.
Actions/Responsibilities of Project Participants to Encourage the Use of BIM:
Contractors and Construction Managers
Contractors and Construction Managers need to recognize that coordination, whether
with BIM technology or a light table, is a core service rather than an added service.
BIM tools that can facilitate a great deal of coordination are now available, and when
applied appropriately they can reduce the cost and time of construction. The question
is not whether BIM will be used on a project, but to what extent it will be used. It is known that BIM coordination improves communication, which decreases construction costs and time, thus reducing risk. Contractors and construction managers have a responsibility to evaluate the costs of various implementation processes and provide the results of this evaluation to owners and design teams in quantifiable terms.
with BIM technology or a light table, is a core service rather than an added service.
BIM tools that can facilitate a great deal of coordination are now available, and when
applied appropriately they can reduce the cost and time of construction. The question
is not whether BIM will be used on a project, but to what extent it will be used. It is known that BIM coordination improves communication, which decreases construction costs and time, thus reducing risk. Contractors and construction managers have a responsibility to evaluate the costs of various implementation processes and provide the results of this evaluation to owners and design teams in quantifiable terms.
Design Teams
Design teams must recognize the benefits of sharing all available electronic information
with the entire project team. Structural analysis models, for instance, have value to other team members, so delivery of these models should be part of the design contract.
Along with the responsibility of sharing information, the designer has the obligation to convey the quality of the information that is provided. If the geometry or the load cases in a design model are not completely accurate, this needs to be made known and documented. In addition, the source of the correct information in the design documents needs to be established.
with the entire project team. Structural analysis models, for instance, have value to other team members, so delivery of these models should be part of the design contract.
Along with the responsibility of sharing information, the designer has the obligation to convey the quality of the information that is provided. If the geometry or the load cases in a design model are not completely accurate, this needs to be made known and documented. In addition, the source of the correct information in the design documents needs to be established.
Public Agencies
Public agencies, like design teams must recognize the industry’s movement toward electronic information and evaluate what information is truly needed to perform code enforcement checks and permitting. They must ensure that project design and construction are compatible with community safety and facilitate community development. They must be open when appropriate to adopt new formats for demonstration of a project’s compliance with specified standards.
Owners & Program Managers
Owners that recognize the value of BIM must accept the responsibility of the costs associated with it. While the use of BIM coordination does not constitute an added service, it does represent added value or better service. Owners also need to recognize that additional deliverable (such as final as-built models) do constitute added services, and pay for these as warranted.
Subcontractors
Subcontractors are responsible for fully conveying their interpretation of the design intent to the Design Team. They also must coordinate their work with that of other subcontractors by sharing the electronic information they have developed in file formats that can be used and combined with the work of others.
Software Providers and Data Warehouses
To date, BIM technology has been developed to facilitate specific processes and activities related to a project. At the core, BIM software is a database. Its application to a process requires that the database be initially populated and then maintained as the project progresses. The amount of redundant effort required to develop and maintain the various databases of the many subcontractors that employ BIM technology represents the greatest source of waste and error associated with BIM implementation. In order to facilitate the full integration of BIM technology, software vendors must develop ways for the various members of the project team to input and maintain the data relating to the specific aspects of the project within their responsibility. In short, interoperability is essential, and must be accommodated by the software industry.
BIM Adaptation:
BIM is a tool that will help the project team to communicate the needs of the project more quickly and accurately than through current practices. However, the tool cannot perform without the cooperation of the entire team. Each member must contribute its information to the BIM for the betterment of the project, and understand the quality of the information that is included in the BIM.
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