What is BIM? – Agile BIM Part 6/10

Not Just a 3D Model – What is Agile BIM?

BIM has been a buzzword recently, but it is often understood in different ways. Sometimes, it is seen as simply 3D modeling. While the 3D model is an important part of BIM, it is not the only element. Just like wheels are a crucial part of a car but not the car itself—you can’t drive without them, but you also can’t drive without the rest of the car. Check out what is Agile BIM.

This post is part of the “Agile BIM” series. Click below to check out the other entries.

1. Why BIM? Origins of New Solutions – Agile BIM Part 1/10
2. British Approach to BIM – Standards and Protocols – Agile BIM Part 2/10
3. CDE in British Standards – Agile BIM Part 3/10
4. Why is CDE so important in BIM? – Agile BIM Part 4/10
5. Przykłady platform wymiany danych CDE – zwinny BIM cz. 5/10
6. What is BIM? – Agile BIM Part 6/10
7. BIM vs. Traditionally Managed Construction Projects – Agile BIM 7/10
8. Agile Project Management – Introduction to Agile – Agile BIM 8/10
9. Translating Agile Principles into BIM – Agile BIM Part 9/10
10. How to Make BIM Agile? – Agile BIM 10/10

Let’s start with the name. The acronym BIM is most commonly expanded as Building Information Modeling, sometimes also interpreted as Building Information Management, and can be translated as:

• Building Information Modeling (understood as a construction object) – the process of modeling and managing information
• Building Information Model (digital) – a database of information about a construction object
• Building Information Management – managing information about a construction object (designed, built, or in use).

USC School of Cinematic Arts Complex Źródło: View By View, Inc., 2015 r.

Why is BIM Key?

BIM is primarily about information management, which is the process of creating, collecting, and exchanging information from the concept through all stages of design and construction, handover, and management of the built construction object.

It’s crucial to understand that the strength of BIM lies in communication. In previous posts in the “Agile BIM” series, we introduced the concept of a Common Data Environment (CDE) and an iterative approach to project coordination. It’s also essential to use previously done work and supplement information rather than redrawing and repeating many things from scratch at each stage, as is often the case in traditional 2D projects.

In summary, BIM can be defined as a methodology that should include:

• A database – a digital 3D model of a construction object consisting of parametric components and many additional non-geometric data (known as metadata). This is directly related to technology, i.e., software and IT systems supporting the design process.
• Processes – such as the way of working, guidelines, and standards aimed at making the planning, construction, and operation of the building more efficient and transparent (e.g., by organizing project standards and processes in the BIM Execution Plan – BEP).
• Effective methods for collecting, managing, and exchanging information and realizing shared visions and concepts (e.g., by introducing a CDE). One of the key changes in construction during the digital revolution is the automation and improvement of communication, including efficient data administration and access.
• People – New roles, tasks, responsibilities, competences, and the scopes of responsibility assigned to them.

Why is BIM the Future?

The above points mainly concern creating, managing, and exchanging information about a construction object (designed, built, or in use).

Of course, a construction investment as a whole must be planned and managed, so the following can also be added to the above points:

• Investment management methods and its various stages

In the next post, we will discuss the limitations of utilizing BIM’s potential in traditionally managed construction projects.

Literature:

https://bim-level2.org/en/standards/