BIM Curriculum – Levels

Education in BIM is one of the key aspects which will drive the process further into the AEC industry. The students and professionals who are keeping up to date with the latest developments in the curriculum will be the ones who are pushing and advancing the roll of BIM in the construction industry. The process is an on going learning curve. Anyone who tells you they know everything about BIM is clearly mistaken. These educations give the student the insight into the industry to start to develop a stratergy for BIM implementation.

One of the key aspects of BIM is collaboration. It is now essential to work along side contractors, engineers, architects, consultants, site managers etc. This, although creating some initial problems will be a significant improvement to the way that the AEC industry has been working in the past. There are many case studies available which demonstrate what I am saying here. The reduction of mistakes or clashes in the building can be significantly reduced through planning and collaboration. This factor will of course directly effect the profits / loss encountered on a construction project. In the profit driven world we live in, BIM is simply too important to try and ignore.

“Construction companies in the market tend to rely on new hires to acquire appropriate talent rather than re-training in-house personnel. There is a lack of trained and qualified graduates to meet demand (Pavelko & Chasey, 2010). Recognizing this need, the DEWSC has incorporated BIM coursework into the construction management program for undergraduate students.”

 Although a temporary solution, hiring contractors is an expensive and short term fix for companies adopting BIM work flows. An underlying education in the process of BIM is essential for companies looking to hire new individuals to form a team of skilled workers. As I previously mentioned, BIM is a relatively new process and is forever developing. To keep up to date with the latest changes in the industry, companies will be forced to educate their employees through courses and attending events related to the subject. In my opinion, a new roll is needed in large construction companies implementing the BIM process. A BIM expert / researcher would be a roll performed by someone who is heavily involved and networked in the industry, working alongside professionals from other companies to expand their knowledge and share productive ideas.

I would recommend reading through the .pdf file to the right, courtesey of BIM Forum, Although a large document, it contains a lot of advice for young professionals and those wishing to become more familiar with the technical aspects of BIM. Although an article discussing the American construction industry it still bears a lot of relevance for the European AEC industry, in terms of education and implementation plans. I will be posting more about Levels of BIM Curriculum in a later blog post. Have a great week all!

You can either click on the link to the right, or click here to use the oringial link. Many thanks to BIM Forum, Ecobuild America and Building smart alliance for compiling this externsive 150 page report on BIM curriculum / implementation.

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The 4 Levels of BIM

Firstly I’d like to let you know about the upcoming blog posts which I will be writing next week. I will be writing a review of the BIMSpectrum event which took place this week, I will discuss my favourite presentations and my general thoughts on the event. I will also be posting a blog about ImaginIt’s Clarity for Revit server. I have also discovered some great BIM projects over the last few weeks which I am planning to discuss on this blog. 

After hearing a lot about the different levels of BIM recently, with some even claiming to be working in the 5th level of BIM! I have found a level system written by DPR review which I have posted below. If you have a different view, I’d like to know your opinions as I’m not totally sure myself, get in touch!

“Level 1: A tool primarily used to communicate design intent and help owners evaluate alternative designs at the beginning of a project and visualize an end product.

Level 2: Models created by design teams that include mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) systems at a higher level done during the coordination phase to reduce requests for information (RFIs) and changes in the field during construction, as well as site logistics.

Level 3: Includes detailed models created by MEP subcontractors that are merged with the designers’ models to produce fabrication-level MEP models. Level of detail also allows for very detailed 4D sequencing of the building process, 3D as-built models, and the ability to pull accurate quantity trends directly from the models.

Level 4: Integrates substantially more stakeholders into the process from the early design stage to provide input and review, test the constructibility, and determine the best materials and methods for design and construction, in accordance with the project’s budget, schedule and quality. Level 4 BIM results in the creation of a model that incorporates such fine details as seismic and gravity hangers, metal framing systems, and detailed models of components like rebar. These models can be used to produce permit documents and shop drawings, pull material quantities, produce accurate model-based estimates, perform cross-trade prefabrication, and produce actual installation drawings.” 

DPR Review – The Four Levels of BIM