Lean construction encompasses Building information modeling standards. And BIM solutions are driven by software. What are some of the challenges project managers must overcome when implementing BIM solutions? Here are 4:
The Construction Industry’s BIM Adoption
In 1992 BIM practices were introduced. After 30 years, are we finally getting it right? Yes. But among our challenges are lack of owners’ and skilled trades’ buy-in to lean construction and BIM.
Here are 4 ways engineers can overcome BIM adoption challenges in the construction industry:
1. Pick the right BIM software – Older BIM software may not be as vivid or flexible as today’s. Choose a software that can:
- Be easy for everyone to use/understand
- Forecast data-driven best-case/worst-case scenarios
- Generate project-specific workflows
- Increase safety
- Integrate other companies’ software applications
- Lessen risks/liability
- Lessen waste in talent and materials
- Predict/avoid operational issues
- Reduce downtime
- Use historical data for current applications
- Utilize/optimize current applications/skillsets; grow/change with your company
2. Make BIM deliverables accessible – Collaboration is only possible when effective communication drives lean construction principles. Interoperability should support:
- Collaborative workflow management
- Delivery of the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) data model
- Ease of integration with other applications
- Multiple users in different locations working simultaneously in one model
- Open API (application program interface)
3. Integrate 3D with 2D – Many engineers continue to use 2D drawings with oversized printouts.
“Because engineers are used to working with flat drawings, transitioning those 2D skillsets to 3D environments can be a much greater challenge,” says allplan.com. A 3D BIM platform that’s 2D-friendly makes the learning curve easier and shorter. Engineers can train and study how to design 3D models while working in 2D.
4. Prepare for the future – The construction industry has never adapted technology quickly. Even today, construction companies don’t develop at the same pace, and working in 2D while being ever-ready to make the shift to 3D is another engineering challenge.
You shouldn’t have to do everything twice. That’s why the integration of and upgrade to 3D technology should be as seamless as possible.
With Construction Monitor technology, you can have presorted data every month or every week. But we analyze building permit statistics and top company reports every day. Ask our marketing team about ways to build business before year-end.
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Our blog is for informational purposes. We don’t endorse nor recommend any software brand.
I’ve worked on a lot of projects that used BIM to provide a 3D design alongside of the 2D construction documents. It helped greatly to identify constructibility issues along with other things, however on all my projects I saw a gap between the design/BIM teams and the construction team. The craft personnel (on the project) would rarely have access to view the 3D model and therefore just used the 2D drawings. For BIM to be completely successful, all personnel needs trained and equipped with all tools to access and use the 3D model.