Common Myths About BIM
Building Information Modelling is becoming an inseparable part of the daily lives of those who belongs to Architectural Engineering Construction and Operation (AECO) industry but remains shrouded in mystery to many stakeholders involved.
Before elaborating the some common myths about BIM and truth let’s find out “What is BIM?” first.
The entire process of creating and managing information for a built object is known as Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM generates intelligent cloud-based model integrating multi-disciplinary structured data to build a digital visualization of an object throughout its lifecycle from conceptual and designing stage to construction and operations.
The notion of BIM has been around since the 1970s, but it was only in the early 2000s that it became a widely accepted word. In the current scenario, BIM is being adopted by leading countries throughout the world.
The government is making use of BIM mandatory in construction projects since it has been beneficial in streamlining various construction processes and resulting in increased production.
🏠 Debunking or Busted Myths About BIM
It is important for every company that belongs to the AEC industry to be aware of these common myths about BIM implementation. It is reasonable to have some hesitations about any change in the workplace specifically while implementing something new.
BIM offers end numbers of benefits that far exceed its drawbacks. BIM facilitates a very useful procedure that benefits all of the project stakeholders. It enables all AEC professionals to collaborate by providing a comprehensive view of the entire project.
🏠 Most Common Myths About BIM Technology Busted
Despite the advantages, a few common myths have made people cautious to implement and execute BIM in their projects.
Myth 1. BIM Is Just a Type of Software
Truth: One of the biggest misconceptions about BIM is that it’s just software. Whereas BIM is not at all a software package; it’s a mindset, a process flow. People consider Revit and BIM interchangeable, which is one of the biggest misconceptions prevalent in the market.
Revit is just one of the software tools present on the market for a BIM-driven design approach. There are many BIM tools, like ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, Trimble, etc.
For BIM implementation, you need to consider people, methodology, and technology to re-design the traditional work process to fully utilize the benefits of the digital collaborative construction process.
Myth 2. BIM Is Limited to 3D Modeling
Truth: The other common BIM myth is, it is just another 3D modeling routine. Building Information Modeling is not just generating a 3-dimensional visual representation of the physical and functional elements of a building.
It’s far more than that. 3D modeling is just one of the functionalities of BIM that allows users to visualize the appearance of the building design. In fact, BIM dimensioning is all about adding more data to your 3D data.
4D: Time
5D: Cost
6D: Asset
7D: Sustainability
8D: Safety
9D: Lean Construction
10D: Industrial Design
And not only that, but BIM workflows like Revit-Navisworks help you visualize clashes in various disciplines and building systems (MEPF) even before execution. The clash detection in BIM is very helpful in navigating the challenges associated with upfront costs and project delays.
BIM not only produces data-rich 3D models but also enables collaborative work processes involving AEC professionals in a building project. The process enables the production of graphical and non-graphical digital datasets.
Myth 3. BIM Implementation – It’s Complicated
Truth: Likewise, in other advanced technologies, there is a misconception that “BIM implementation or converting your traditional working processes to BIM is a too complex process,” but it’s actually not. There is a requirement for proper training and knowledge, which can be gained through online courses, online tutorial videos, and other freely available resources.
There are multiple options, like Novatr, that provide extensive training for a comprehensive understanding of BIM technologies. Most of these trainings are fully optimized for market practicality, government regulations, and industry standards.
Before BIM implementation, we do research on the project specification and industry standards, then plan accordingly. Hence, BIM implementation is not complex but requires learning and research.
Myth 4. BIM (Building Information Modeling) Is Expensive
Truth – Most people are apprehensive about deploying BIM because they believe it will be costly. When we adopt any kind of change in working processes, there will surely be an early expense as adopting every new technology takes, but this will be offset by long-term efficiency and rewards.
The efficiency of BIM is dependent on accurate data representation and the ability to make data-driven decisions. It is important to recognize that process efficiency reduces overall risk and saves a significant amount of money.
Myth 5. BIM Is More Suitable for Big and Complicated Project
Truth – BIM is commonly used in large projects only because it allows better project management as compared to traditional construction methods – This is not completely true. Big projects are obviously more complicated and time-consuming but the issue of every construction project tends to be the same.
BIM improves design cost calculation efficiency and saves time while estimating and analyzing project costs. BIM is beneficial to every typology of project, irrespective of the size of the project.
Whether it’s a public or private project, the team at Tejjy Inc. utilizes the benefits of BIM to execute it efficiently. In fact, the biggest adopters of BIM, such as the USA and China, have seen this trend of private sector clients looking out for BIM organizations for their project needs.
Myth 6. BIM Is Beneficial Only to Designers and Constructors
Truth: One more BIM Myth is many people assuming that BIM is only valuable during the design and construction phases; however, this is not the case. BIM benefits all project stakeholders involved in the project lifecycle.
The process efficiently takes care of everything at every stage of the construction process. Level of Information involved in each BIM content is helpful for all of the project stakeholders involved, even at the execution stage.
Hence, helping designers, constructors, facility managers, estimators, modelers, and other project stakeholders to have a complete overview of the project progression and execution collaboratively. It is also helpful for renovations, retrofits, destruction, and refurbishment.
Myth 7. BIM Implementation Require a New Team
Truth: Many people assume that change management with BIM deployment requires a new set of skills and a new team. This is not absolutely the case. BIM implementation training can be provided to the existing team.
People are hesitant because they have developed myths about BIM technology in their minds that BIM has numerous benefits but is difficult to execute, which is not the case. BIM Service Provider Companies that have successfully incorporated BIM have trained their existing engineers, team members, and project managers to incorporate BIM into their current workflow.
Moreover, BIM aids the project’s workflow by streamlining it, but its tendency to accept changes in the workplace makes the process difficult. BIM is simple to adopt, and it has resulted in greater project efficiency.
Myth 8. BIM is Just a Trend
Truth: In the construction business, BIM has been gaining popularity globally since the 2000s. BIM has been adopted by many of the top countries worldwide and is now mandatory for all public projects. The global construction industry has recognized the value of BIM and how it is helping in design coordination, working collaboratively, waste elimination, and saving on cost.
The notion that BIM is merely a passing fad is a myth. BIM has made a big change in the workflow and proper utilization of technology in the AEC industry as mankind has improved its standards in the digital world.
Companies are gaining more work efficiency and a competitive edge by adopting BIM. Hence, it is not just a fad, but a natural evolution of the architectural, engineering, and construction industries.
Myth 9. BIM is More Time Consuming
Truth: Undoubtedly, any procedure that entails new ways of working will take time to scope, implement, and integrate. Careful and effective planning helps in reducing the impact of picking the proper pilot project and ensuring adequate time and resources to get up to speed.
This helps in building momentum.
In the long run, you begin to reap the rewards sooner rather than later, with gains outweighing the initial expenditure. In comparison to more traditional methods of project planning and resourcing, a BIM approach often frontloads the generation of project-related information and assets, which might take some time to get used to. With a variety of training and accessible tools, even the busiest firm manages to get up to speed.
Myth 10. BIM Impacts Productivity
Truth – People who have misconception about BIM consumes more time assumes that BIM has a negative impact on construction productivity. We can’t expect any drastic changes in the process to produce immediate outcomes.
BIM, on the other hand, pays off in the long run when given the proper amount of time, planning and investment resources. It not only pays off the investment, but it also streamlines several procedures, resulting in increased efficiency.
🏠 What is not BIM?
BIM’s increasing importance in the marketplace has led to initiatives referring themselves as BIM initiative, even though they are not. This is why it is critical to discuss certain elements that might aid in the process of determining what is and is not BIM.
Not all 3D modeling solutions are BIM
Solutions that merely allow for the modeling and 3D graphical depiction of a structure or installation using objects that contain no information other than their own geometry are not called BIM solutions. These sorts of software do not provide automatic quantity extraction, updates, or even simulations and analysis.
Tools that are not based on parametric and smart objects are not BIM
Some solutions generate three-dimensional models of buildings and installations without parametric and intelligent objects, resembling BIM solutions. However, changes and modifications are laborious, taking hours and becoming passive to errors. This makes object positioning difficult, time-consuming, and not automatic in ongoing projects.
Software that doesn’t allow the scope of process automation is not BIM
Some non-BIM tools will not automatically update other views and reports of the same project or work in progress when a specific view is revised or changed. In this instance, the user must execute specified commands, and if this is not done correctly, some of his work may contain inconsistencies and mistakes.
3D software and solutions that don’t act as integrated database managers are not BIM
BIM solutions generate a three-dimensional model of a building or facility that can be displayed on a computer screen. Lists, tables, and spreadsheets are some more types of visualizations. Changes in data, such as the width of a door, are instantly reflected in all representations. BIM software acts as an integrated database manager, updating all potential data structures or views, regardless of display format.
Use BIM Automation to Automate Modeling and Design Activities
🏠 Why Do People Not Use BIM?
BIM has been around for nearly two decades for prioritizing construction project efficiencies, design, and clash coordination but has recently become more mainstream in the professional consciousness. The adoption of BIM technology has been slower than expected due to some inherent challenges.
Here are some significant hurdles that BIM adoption in the construction industry faces:
Lack of expertise
The construction industry faces a significant challenge in integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) due to a lack of widespread expertise, leading to inefficiencies and profit loss due to increased operating costs and inefficiency in projects.
Lack of awareness
The lack of awareness about BIM technology in India’s construction industry hinders successful strategic initiatives. Despite numerous construction projects, many are not familiar with modern construction practices, resulting in a lack of management support.
Cost-effectiveness for small projects
BIM saves money on big projects by reducing operating and inventory costs. However, smaller projects require more intuitive decision-making and experience-driven budgets, making them less attractive for small and medium-sized construction companies. Hiring experts and training the workforce requires significant investments.
Resistance to change
Construction companies increasingly adopt Building Information Modeling (BIM) for projects, but resistance to change stems from increased responsibility for execution and reduced error tolerance. Cultural concerns lead some to opt for traditional operations over BIM-driven workforce training or hiring.
Lack of cooperation between stakeholders
BIM technology integrates stakeholders’ workflows, requiring high collaboration. However, large projects often face non-cooperation, leading to conflicts. Successful BIM adoption requires organizational expertise and changes in working methods. Despite its limited impact on larger companies, India needs to catch up and leverage BIM power in its construction industry to keep up with global trends.
In the case where you don’t have the workforce to make the most out of BIM (Building Information Modeling), you should look out for a partner vendor helping you out in this. An experienced BIM partner would not only help you in design collaborative construction but also post occupational decision with the BIM data.
BIM ultimately saves you considerable amount on your construction requirements, therefore, it is high time we get over these BIM myths and start integrating BIM in our AEC workflow and facility management ops.
🏠 What Are the Disadvantages of BIM?
BIM, or building information modelling, is a useful tool for conceptualizing, planning, and designing structures of any scale and complexity. Though there are a bunch of advantages we can utilize with BIM, there exists few disadvantages of BIM too in the AEC industry.
Modelling Software packages required to implement BIM
Additional investment required for training old staffs or, to hire new BIM professional
Requirement of initial document upload for further project execution
Incompatibility with other project stakeholders, who are not aware about the BIM process
Lack of usability knowledge of BIM for Facility management after the handover stage
🏠 What Are the 4 Stages of BIM?
BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a collaborative system that facilitates industry experts in the design, model, delivery, and maintenance of assets over their entire existence. BIM is a system for defining the characteristics of a building facility that allows stakeholders to share information from conceptual stage to demolition.
Different levels of participation are guaranteed by the gradual and recognizable milestones, which are characterized as different levels. These levels, which range from 0 to 3 and beyond, are as explained below:
BIM Level 0: Level 0 is the simplest and traditional process which actually means No Collaboration. 2D CAD drafting is only utilized to execute a project and generates Production Information either in electronic form or, on paper.
BIM Level 1: Both 3D CAD and 2D drawing are used in Level 1 BIM. While 3D CAD is utilized for conceptual designs, 2D CAD is used to create statutory approval papers and Production Information.
At this level, data is shared electronically through a common data environment (CDE) managed by contractors. Everyone develops and controls their own data hence, there exists minimal collaboration among the stakeholders at this level.
BIM Level 2: Level 2 BIM is used extensively for public-sector projects. This level encourages collaboration by providing each stakeholder with their own 3D CAD model. This level is distinguished by collaborative functioning, and it necessitates efficient project-related information submission as well as smooth coordination across all stakeholders.
All project members work on their own local 3D CAD models, and data is shared using a standard file format. Organizations can use such a technology to construct a federated BIM model by combining external data with their own model.
BIM Level 3: The scope of Level 3 has not yet fully defined, but it offers broader collaboration between all stakeholders through a work-shared model in a digital common date environment (CDE). It is also known as ‘Open BIM.’
The Level 3 idea allows all participants to work on the same model at the same time, eliminating the possibility of contradictory information. Level 3 suggests using an integrated system based on open standards like as IFC, with all project data stored on a single server.
🏠 What Makes Us an Expert BIM Modeling Service Provider in USA?
Tejjy Inc. being Women-owned Certified Disadvantage/Minority Business Enterprise listed on GSA schedule company providing BIM services to MEP engineering firms, 3D Scanning and Modeling Companies, Product Modeling Companies, Architectural firms and building owners.
Adopting the capabilities of BIM software such as Autodesk Revit, Navisworks, AutoCAD Plant 3D, 3Ds MAX, etc. we provide services to the entire Architectural Engineering Construction and Operation (AECO) industry for the last 15 years now.
From 3D model and parametric families, we facilitate MEP Clash Detection, BIM Coordination (architectural, structural, MEPFP/HVAC), Scan to BIM Modeling, Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) and so on.
We are an ISO Certified (9001-2015) company and successfully delivered quality assured more than 2500 projects in Washington DC, Texas, Maryland, Virginia, Newyork, Baltimore, and across USA.
The industry verticals we have served are commercial, residential, mixed-use, medical facilities, infrastructure, and industrial etc. Consult us now to implement BIM in your upcoming projects.
