Building Information Modelling is essentially the evolution of the Construction Industry. Industry has been evolving for years, with new innovation, machines and automated production. Now the Construction industry needs to catch up. BIM is not owned by anyone. It is not CAD or a single piece of software. BIM is a process, a new way of working which requires various tools, applications and a combination of software packages.
The ultimate goals are to increase the quality and performance buildings, improve communication / collaboration between all parties throughout the building lifecycle, reduce costs, reduce the potential risks/liabilities for all involved with the use of pre-site simulations and clash detection.
"BIM is essentially value creating collaboration through the entire lifecycle of an asset, underpinned by the creation, collation and exchange of shared 3D models and intelligent, structured data attached to them." Source: BIM Government Task Group
All stakeholders are involved and work together on one 3D building model, which ensures coordinated planning with less failures and better managed interfaces. As an intelligent 3D model-based process, BIM equips architecture, engineering, and construction professionals with the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure.
"BIM is described in many ways, but at heart it is a collaborative way of working, supported by software tools that make information about buildings available and analysable" Source: NBS International BIM Report 2016
Digital Tools
The tools behind BIM are digital and require trained professionals who understand the workflow and chosen software platform. With the right tools, BIM brings your entire project to your team’s fingertips for faster coordination in the office and on the construction site, whether on a computer, tablet or smartphone device.
Thinking in a New Dimension
BIM adds a new dimension to the design process and requires a new way of thinking beyond traditional two-dimensional pen and paper methods. The entire project team will succeed when they embrace the third dimension and additional data, such as material properties, quantities, manufacturer-specific product details and more, which is embedded into the BIM workflow.
Global and Local Development
BIM is not a software, but a process to design, collaborate, simulate, check and control the design and building processes in a virtual environment. The activities around BIM are independently driven, since it doesn’t belong to any company, association or country. BIM is developing on a global level, and also has some local, country specific factors.