Frederick Jace
Building information modelling (BIM) use is growing fast within the architectural, engineering and property-owning world, primarily due to the opportunities it provides surveyors when it comes to construction. However, its actual benefits are yet to be fully appreciated, so we ask The CAD Room for some of the benefits of starting a project using BIM and the further opportunities that BIM can bring for surveyors to add value and efficiencies throughout the project lifecycle.
What is BIM?
BIM offers a complete model-based approach to support surveyors when designing and planning for construction projects and enabling sharing of critical information with all project stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle and for ongoing building management after handover.
Opportunities beyond geospatial information
The increased use of BIM and its acceptance as the automated answer to a more cohesive build offers wider opportunities for improved efficiency, reduced costs, a more significant benefit to the environment throughout the project lifecycle.
Its greater use within civil infrastructure, utilities and industrial facilities, and domestic and commercial property enable a more robust, timely and accurate flow of information. Improving communication between surveyors, project owners, contractors and consultants, and trades brings many additional benefits to every project, including:
- Reduced reworking through detailed analysis and sharing of existing work
- Asset management and operations through detailed as-built information
- Improved means to collaborate between designer and owner
- Reduced errors and omissions through real-time information sharing to aid scheduling, clashes, and snag identification
Surveyors prepared to embrace the increased acceptance and use of BIM throughout the industry will be better placed to become trusted participants as more projects move to BIM-based construction. Spatial information and skills in 3D data management, visualisation and modelling will support the very heart of BIM design, build and operational processing.
BIM outsourcing
Choosing to outsource your building information modelling can be a cost-effective solution to access BIM services and gain expert help to benefit from the many opportunities BIM offers fully. Experienced BIM outsourcing partners will see you in front of experts able to integrate with you as an external fully managed department or fill gaps when you need additional support with an extensive range of BIM services.
BIM is developing the role surveyors can play within a project
The use of spatial information within BIM requires surveyors to develop their skills to understand how to and be able to provide spatial data accurately and efficiently as the use of BIM grows within projects. Surveyors provide essential geospatial information to contractors during design and planning; however, BIM progresses further into the subsequent stages of project lifestyles. The progression to construction, inspection and the project management stages alongside the financial controls necessary to deliver builds on budget and on time require a greater need for as-built information.
Surveyors can play a crucial role in collecting and managing as-built and inspection information to drive project management decisions. Data transformation between building and site design models allows surveyors to establish a consistent reference frame for stakeholders, thus ensuring common understanding. Information regarding upgrades, modifications and issues are now available with BIM project integration. Information that regularly derails many projects.
Surveyors have the opportunity to become involved in the measuring tasks that subcontractors and tradespeople perform throughout a construction project to maintain and develop data.
There is a need for understanding and directing the future of BIM. Importance of partnering with a reliable and experienced BIM partner will ensure that your journey is smooth, and your project stands a greater chance of delivering.
After all, BIM goes beyond 3D models and brings cohesion to the entire project, from the placement of a building within its surroundings, trade management and services integration to the property handover and ongoing leadership in a way that traditional methods can’t compete with.
