With less than a year to go until the Government’s 2016 Building Information Modelling (BIM) deadline, Level two compliance may not be as complex or expensive as many people think, according to landscape design software developer Keysoft Solutions.
The Government has mandated that BIM Level two must be used on all centrally-funded construction projects by 2016, which includes landscaping. This means that to work on these projects, landscape design professionals need to be able to collaborate with central government departments and ensure their technology and processes are BIM compliant.
Even though the deadline is fast approaching, there is still a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding around BIM. However, Keysoft Solutions argues that many landscape designers are already working at BIM Level one and that a few changes in working practices could get them to Level two compliance without significant expenditure.
Level two BIM requires a minimum of 2D CAD with, where appropriate, managed 3D data that can be held in separate BIM applications with the data attached. Information can be exchanged with supporting documentation for collaborative working. The Government has identified the Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie) as the leading method of data exchange. This is good news as it is a simple format that can be edited using a spreadsheet.
Mike Shilton, product director at Keysoft Solutions, explains: “Anyone already using our landscape design software is working to at least BIM Level one but our software enables them to prepare Level two data, so it is just a matter of ensuring they have the right collaboration and information sharing processes in place.
“There is a misconception that BIM is very costly but in reality it is only as expensive as you want to make it. Like any other business process that is introduced, your BIM implementation plan needs to be developed and refined over time. Only then can you make decisions regarding investment in software and training, as this will depend on your business need.
“The level of BIM required will be different for each project and it is up to businesses and local authorities alike to assess this need and develop their own BIM implementation strategies accordingly. They need to focus on the requirements of the project and see if it can be delivered via their existing systems and software or whether investment is needed.”
Keysoft Solutions has put together the following top five tips for landscape professionals who are just getting started with BIM, as well as for those making the step from Level one to two compliance:
1 – Don’t do BIM for BIM’s sake – the level of BIM needed will be different for every project, depending on what is required by clients and design partners. Talk to both and assess whether you need to change to engage with them now and in the future.
2 – For each project there should be a BIM execution plan. This should be agreed at the outset and defines what BIM means for the project. This will define the standards being adopted, outputs required, when these should be supplied and in what format, plus any supporting documentation. It may stipulate the software to be used but in most cases this can be accommodated by imports and exports from existing software.
3 – Starting with the project BIM execution plan, work back and see if you can deliver the requirements through your existing software and processes or whether change or investment is required.
4 – If change is required, this has less to do with BIM and becomes an important business decision, i.e. is the project or client so important that you are willing to change your current practices and software? The level of investment is then up to you to decide, based on possible returns and future opportunities.
5 – BIM is not something you can switch on like a light bulb. Like any other business decision, we recommend you develop your own BIM implementation plan. This is your company’s blueprint for introducing BIM over a period of time and should align to your three to five year business plan. With each project, try to look for new BIM wins, i.e. a new process, system, procedure, software purchase, training, etc, that can be introduced to move you along your BIM timeline.
Mike Shilton continues: “As we approach the 2016 BIM deadline, our advice is to always start with the outputs in mind. Talk to your customers and clients and define your three to five year business plan, based on the projects you wish to be involved with or the clients you want to work with and review your processes accordingly. Prepare and manage a staged approach to achieve the end result (your BIM implementation plan), but remain flexible and review it annually.”
Keysoft Solutions software offers proprietary Level two BIM maturity because it provides:
2D CAD standards that can be shared, using AutoCAD, managed 3D where required and supporting documentation, including schedules, that can be exported for incorporation into COBie data sheets.
Mike Shilton adds: “We will continue to develop software that will meet the demands of our customers in the future and enable them to work towards achieving BIM Level three maturity as these requirements emerge.”
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