What is BIM?

Building Information Modeling / Management is a shift from the traditional linear project work-flow. 3Dimensional models help communicate, access and manage the project information both graphically and also in spreadsheet formats helping to develop higher quality projects.

Traditional Project Work-flow

Traditional project life-cycle involves linear process of carrying out the activities required for the following stages;

Planning

Conceptual Design

Design Development

Construction

Maintenance

Linear project work-flow has obvious disadvantages of loss of information and ambiguity in critical decisions until the last minute. Linear work-flow does not involve all project stake holders early in the project to help avoid abortive work.

BIM Project Work-flow

BIM project life-cycle encourages collaboration of the entire project team during the full life-cycle. BIM also provides access to seamless communication with minimal loss of information and enables the team to make critical project decisions early in the process.

BIM is currently perceived as the only direction for the construction industry to increase productivity and to develop high quality and sustainable construction projects. It has been made an industry wide mandatory process and is followed by many countries. Early adopters are already reaping the benefits of the change with greater efficiency. There has been a rise in productivity and also a gain in the competitive edge.