Monday, September 10, 2012

A trailblazer …my little finger…(moved by a BIM article)



Interesting article, regrettably very thin on metrics.
We learn the extent of the job (in square feet, room numbers and disciplines) and the number of current and likely future models, but are given hardly any data on how and what makes this BIM application exceptional when it comes to benefits to any of the parties involved.

There are the customary ‘power statements’ peppered through, the ‘better visual understanding’, ‘improved communication’, ‘easier problem solving’ – but still no parameters given for quantitative assessment used for measurement, or methods of comparison employed to track performance or production.

The lack of metrics is overshadowed by the almost apologetic tone of the writing with many hidden (and not so hidden) excuses aimed at the direct client. (HLMR)

The ‘real’ client, the remote one, SEHA is not mentioned, apart from indirectly, where the brief and specifications for the project BIM are noted early in the article.

A surprising omission, considering their role in setting up the project to be a full BIM-one at the beginning.
That little fact, I would have thought, on its own would have freed up iTech of needing to justify their own- and BIM’s existence on this Earth.
(as in: You asked for it!)

Why indeed did they have to run back to ‘mummy and daddy’ for support in the last two paragraphs, listing various governments, BuildSmart  (was it meant to be buildingSMART?) and their studies as ‘proof’ that BIM is profitable and ROI very high, is a bit of a puzzle for me?

Unless they felt the need to provide the framework to place the currently fashionable ‘trail-blazing public companies’ term amongst the known BIMmers of the world.

Regular readers of CW will remember iTech labeled as such earlier in the year.
http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-16128-itech-uses-bim-bang-whizzery-at-al-mafraq-hospital/

 

6 comments:

  1. Not so different to the line in this month's HLMR newsletter IIRC:

    ----------------
    To ensure Mafraq’s many systems and
    services were coordinated from the project’s
    early stages through to design, construction
    and future operation – in a common
    environment, the team used fully integrated
    Building Information Modeling (BIM) to digitally
    build the hospital in 3D before building it
    physically. Project Director Vanessa Currie
    sees this as one of the biggest successes of
    the project to date.

    “We are achieving real results using
    BIM as the central coordination tool to
    support our business processes and client
    communications.

    “We’ve created 3D models, with the outcome
    being the production of shop drawings from
    which the project is being constructed. To our
    knowledge, we are at the forefront of using
    BIM technology to this extent.”

    “This process is relatively new in the region,
    and though a challenge for our industry, we
    are achieving numerous strategic, operational
    and technical wins – and it will go a long way
    to ensuring we continue to meet our delivery
    requirements for our clients,”
    ---------------

    http://www.leighton.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/14755/HLG_Sept2012.pdf

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  2. Two wrongs don't make either of them right!

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  3. PR pillow fight does not do good to the project or BIM in the region. The project should be presented as it deserves, and due credit given.

    Kudos to the investing authority for mandating BIM.

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  4. My comment that is not (yet?) published on Construction Week Online:

    ///

    Surprised by many statements here ...

    Personally knowing people who run and are part of the BIM teams in Burt Hill/Stantec, HL and MR, I can not believe that they needed external help

    2D IFC drawings? Why IFC if 2D? Why 2D if IFC? As the author mentions, many applications and BIM authoring packages are used - of course they are! - therefore, the only currently available universal language is to be used for the communication, and that's the IFC file format!

    The terminology of the article is imprecise at best. Just saying BIM does not mean anything in particular, while meaning everything at the same time, and is subject to interpretation. BIM models, BIM data, that's more like it.

    Does an integrated BIM model of the whole project exist? If it does, I would REALLY like to know in which file format and which software can open and maintain it on what kind of hardware. Or, are there (more probably) reference models that can be compiled and put together as required?

    Expensive change? Not really, as you can not label something expensive if it pays off many times its original cost. Something is expensive if it does not satisfy the purpose and does what it's supposed to, and beyond - maybe the cost is significant, but that's OK as long as the returns are higher.

    Dramatic? Yes, it is - after all, a lot of people are hearing of BIM only now, after more that two decades of its existence and implementation. The upset to the traditional construction industry methods is dramatic, and all the better for it!

    Maybe this is the largest or the most prominent current project using BIM technologies in the country, and it should be properly and fully publicized, but why almost apologize for using BIM? ANY size project benefits from the BIM implementation, the larger the better!

    Too bad that a good chance for presenting the implementation of BIM technologies on a prominent project in the region is lost. This way, it more sounds like an advertorial for iTech, with "supporting" participants - the ones that actually hired iTech, barely mentioned.

    And, the authority that is financing the project is not mentioned at all? Their BIM requirement started the whole thing, did it not?

    ///

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