Technology, process, improvement, and culture change

By Jim Bedrick and Tony Rinella

This article outlines the importance of BIM in its ability to change the work process of architecture, engineering, and construction industries. At its core, BIM will change the industry to enhance collaboration and work-flow integration amongst the different disciplines. This is significantly different from past technological advances such as the use of AutoCad for drafting purposes.

The author describes this difference by relying on three definitions: data, information, and knowledge. Data is defined as raw facts. Data then become information when they are given relevance and meaning. Lastly, information becomes knowledge when it is “combined with experience and know-how.” The use of AutoCad, he claims, is just the use of data, because the files do not contain any information or captured-knowledge from the distinct fields. In a way, drafting with cad is the same as drafting by hand, because the process of work and design has not changed at all. BIM breaks away from this data based culture because it relies on information.

BIM models contain embedded information that can be combined with simulation tools. This combination of information and simulation can then output results that inform the designers on the performance of the building, its construction mechanisms, and its cost estimates among many others. To maximize the benefits of these increased amounts of information, the AEC industry should create collaborative workflows where input and feedback can be shared constantly rather than at very early or late benchmarks in the process. The traditional more linear workflows, the author claims, led to many delays, discontinuity and errors that can be avoided in a more collaborative work environment.

Lastly, an interesting point made relates to the importance of considering the right technology when working in this field. The author explains that many process-improvement efforts choose to wait to include and decide on technology until after the process of work is defined. He claims that it should be the opposite: “The drawback to this approach is that processes often exist that would not be possible without certain technologies. Deferring the consideration of technology prevents recognition of these processes and often leads to ‘paving the cowpath,’ simply automating the old way of working.” BIM can and will really change the field, so long as the AEC industries start to implement its use in a collaborative and integrated process.