In this article, we tell you the five most common mistakes in the use of BIM that generate frustration when developing projects.
We are contacted by companies that tried to implement BIM in their teams, but did not get the results they expected.
We found a common thread among them and made an insight that might help in the understanding of some of the problems you might face when working with BIM.
Lack of proper training
There is a belief that working with BIM implies knowledge of technology and software. This causes companies to focus only on training their teams on the same software without taking into account the roles of each team member, the uses and objectives that the company has set for itself when working with BIM.
The lack of training in BIM processes, not only in the software, can lead to frustration and mistakes in the daily work. On the other hand, not all team members need the same training.
The designer, the builder and the company manager do not perform the same tasks and therefore have a different level of knowledge. It is necessary to make an analysis of who will require what kind of training in order not to spend time and money on training that will be inadequate and will not give the expected result.
Absence of BIM standards
Standards help your company to establish guidelines for managing, structuring and defining information in projects, as well as to standardize and automate work processes.
We are not used to working with processes, protocols and documentation that facilitate project development without improvisation.
If a company does not have clear and well-defined BIM standards, it can result in inconsistent projects, omissions and setbacks.
Especially when projects can be of greater difficulty and the lack of a consistent approach can lead to confusion and errors.
Coordination challenges
Teamwork is essential in a successful BIM project, whether it is internal teamwork to make the project development processes more efficient, or collaboration with other teams from other disciplines involved in the project.
However, coordination between the different teams (architects, engineers, contractors) can be difficult. Experience tells us that the lack of information sharing habits and the lack of efficient communication processes can lead to omissions and errors in the project.
In turn, the lack of collaboration between different teams and departments within a company can lead to a lack of integration of BIM models and a lack of communication in general. This can lead to errors and delays in the project.
Companies tend to focus on the use of BIM tools while avoiding information exchange processes due to a lack of training in this aspect and a lack of knowledge on how to do it properly.
Interoperability issues
Different software programs used in BIM may not integrate seamlessly.
This can cause problems when exchanging files or working at different stages of the project. There may also be compatibility problems between different versions of the same software.
This is why it is necessary to agree, before starting the project, which licenses and which versions will be the most suitable for use by the different work teams in the different phases of the project.
If a company has to adapt to the use of a new tool, it is always better to have a certain flexibility and willingness, if adequate resources are available, in order to achieve the development of the project in the most appropriate way.
The most common mistake in the use of BIM: Old processes
Companies implement BIM without updating their internal processes and ways of working.
They try to make a digital work process compatible with an analogue methodology. They analyze projects with static 2D pieces even though they use the software with the 3D model or still highly depend on CAD files, linked to the BIM software.
This can lead to a lack of integration between the old procedures and the new BIM methodology without fully developing it to its full potential. Therefore, the results are achieved optimally.
Most common mistakes in the use of BIM
Often, bad decisions in companies about BIM implementation are the result of a lack of adequate knowledge to be able to make the right decisions in the process.
If your company is already working with BIM and you would like to know how you can improve existing processes to work more efficiently and start to see the results you expect, we can guide you.
Schedule a meeting with us here so we can give you advice or complete the contact form.
