UK’s programme for Level 3 BIM announced

A new website from the UK Government, Digital Built Britain Website, was launched to announce another step forward on the BIM history of the country with a clear goal, “to build a digital economy for the construction industry in support of dramatically improving delivery, operations and services provided to citizens”.

UK lives a period of transition with the first deadline right here. By the end of this year, starting on 2016, all public sector projects shall use Level 2 BIM, as mandated by the Government.

The website also reveals the recent benefits of BIM: ‘BIM was identified as a significant contributor to the savings of £804m in construction costs in 2013/14 announced at the Government Construction Summit in July 2014. This success has focused the need to continue to deliver the vision described in the Bew-Richards (2008) ramp and the tasks required to realise Level 3. This Digital Built Britain strategy describes how we intend taking the next steps in defining advanced standards, creating new commercial models and identifying technologies to transform our approach to social infrastructure development and construction.’

‘We seek to create a mature digital economy for the built environment which delivers high performing assets and exceptional client value as well as a knowledge base to enable the Smart City and community members to thrive in our urban environments. This approach will attract the most talented individuals from diverse backgrounds into an industry seen to add demonstrable value to society.

This is an ambitious world class programme based on significant progress demonstrated through Level 2. To ensure we can enter the market with an equally successful Level 3 programme we must commence the detailed planning, research and develop significant cross industry partnerships.’

The available document also states that ‘a new round of investment in these technologies and the skills that support them will enable us to continue and extend the work that began in 2011.’

The funding will be used for a series of key measures including:

• The creation of a set of new, international ‘Open Data’ standards which would pave the way for easy sharing of data across the entire market
• The establishment of a new contractual framework for projects which have been procured with BIM to ensure consistency, avoid confusion and encourage, open, collaborative working.
• The creation of a cultural environment which is co-operative, seeks to learn and share
• Training the public sector client in the use of BIM techniques such as, data requirements, operational methods and contractual processes
• Driving domestic and international growth and jobs in technology and construction