Experience: Advantages and disadvantages of working with BIM
What are the advantages and disadvantages of working with BIM? This is a very common question for companies that are planning to start working with BIM or to improve their processes.
Below you will find some of the advantages and benefits that our clients have achieved by working with BIM and the main disadvantages and barriers that they have faced when developing projects with BIM.
BIM is a workflow methodology used in the construction, architecture and engineering industry for the creation and management of construction projects through a 3D digital model that contains related information, such as a large database.
Benefits and advantages of working with BIM
Greater accuracy: BIM allows for greater accuracy in the planning and design of projects, which reduces the margin of error in construction and helps to avoid costly errors due to rework, lack of information, omissions and inconsistencies in the different stages of the project.
Better coordination: BIM allows for better coordination between the different disciplines involved in a project, as the digital model allows for more efficient information sharing with different digital tools that support these processes.
Collaborative work between the different parties is managed digitally in this common environment. Data is exchanged accurately, saving misunderstandings and discrepancies.
Substantial improvement in efficiency: The digital model of the building is created by parametric software. Different elements are related and their characteristics are analyzed. Any modifications made to the model are updated in real time for everyone.
In this way, there is greater control over the elements, and valuable technical information such as measurements are generated while modelling is in progress. Thanks to this integration and control over the project, design and planning times are reduced considerably.
This benefit can be appreciated more, the less reliance such projects have on 2D CAD files.
Cost reduction: BIM helps to reduce costs throughout the life cycle of a construction project, as it allows for more accurate planning and more efficient management of resources by being able to record all these processes with the appropriate software for these tasks.
The control and coordination tools of the BIM methodology make possible to develop projects with much greater precision in terms of measurements, and to quantify the necessary resources more accurately.
The complete virtual model of the building allows the optimization of system routes, such as pipes, ducts and wiring. These issues are resolved in less time, leaving more time for other tasks.
With traditional means, it is common to find these problems during the building works, as the data analysis is not as comprehensive. Correcting these faults on the fly wastes extra money and time.
Improved communication: By working with appropriate processes, communication between different members of the construction team and with clients is improved, which helps to reduce misunderstandings and conflicts. All project information is stored in a single centralized location where all parties involved can contribute value from their discipline, leaving a record of interventions and communications.
Barriers and disadvantages in the process of implementing BIM
Investment required: Companies believe that they have to make a large financial investment to implement this system in their work. The change from the traditional model to the BIM system requires an implementation strategy that translates into training costs, new software licenses, and a transition period to adapt, but these can be planned over time in a gradual and phased manner.
Once implementation has begun, the return on investment can begin to be seen in a short time, with short-term results that translate into increased productivity, performance and reduced project risk.
Learning curve and digital skills: BIM requires a learning curve for the team members. Without proper planning, it can delay the implementation timeframe and increase costs.
BIM methodology is totally different from conventional computer-based design systems, so it is necessary to learn how to use new digital tools and to reconcile existing budget, schedules and workload.
Most employees are used to work with traditional tools that they have mastered, so switching to the latest technology can present a number of barriers. Time investment to learn how to use it, fear of failure, leaving the comfort zone.
Implementing a completely different technology in the company makes necessary to make strategic decisions by the company’s management, who in some cases do not get involved in the implementation process, leading the company to depart from the results they expect.
Infrastructure requirements: BIM requires specific infrastructure to work properly according to the company’s implementation strategy. This is a barrier for the company that believes it is not ready for such an investment without considering the benefits and the short-term return on investment that can be obtained.
Software vendor dependency: In some cases, working with more than one BIM software is required. Dependency on software suppliers can limit the flexibility of the company. However, there are software suppliers that offer commercial agreements to make costs more flexible.
We have strategic alliances within which we can facilitate the acquisition of licenses with discounts and benefits for companies.
If you want to know more, schedule a free initial consultation meeting with us, so that we can guide you in your BIM implementation process.
