Chapter 1: Introduction: The Basics of BIM

Leverage the model. Understanding the level of risk your firm is willing to take in new technologies will help you establish goals for your future use of BIM.

Master It Using the three areas of firm integration (visualization, analysis, and strategy), define how those areas overlap for your firm or project.

Solution Remember, there is no wrong answer in mapping a path forward for your firm or project. The important thing is to identify which areas are critical to the workflow of your firm to help you focus your future efforts.

Know how BIM affects firm culture. Not only is the transition to BIM from 2D CAD a change in applications, but it's also a shift in workflow and firm culture. Understanding some of the key differences helps to ensure project and team success during the transition.

Master It What are some of the ways that BIM differs from CAD, and how does this change the culture of an office or project team?

Solution BIM shifts the level of effort in different phases of the project. This creates new responsibilities and workflows that the team needs to become aware of in order to maintain a level of predictability within the project workflow. Since BIM is also hosted out of a single file instead of several, isolated files, BIM changes the level of interteam communication on a project.

Focus your investment in BIM. One of the key elements to understanding BIM beyond documentation is simply to have an awareness of the possibilities. This allows you to make an educated decision as to what direction your firm or project would like to go.

Master It List some of the potential uses of a BIM model beyond documentation.

Solution Spatial validation, visualization, facility management, construction visualization, blast analysis, and whole building analysis are all potential uses of a BIM model.