The Surprising Importance of BIM in Construction

Building information modeling (BIM) processes are becoming increasingly important on jobsites as more and more architectural, engineering and construction companies implement them.

Digital transformation has already swept through a number of industries, and now BIM processes are making a significant impact on the construction industry. Projects are being planned, designed and executed differently than they were just a few decades ago. As the technology enabling BIM continues to evolve, its influence on the industry increases. From improved design and project collaboration to uses beyond handover, BIM is helping reshape the construction industry.

As BIM technology evolves, companies are seeing the need to evolve with it. BIM standards and certifications, for instance, are helping accelerate the industry’s digital transformation and create a level playing field for companies. Standards are now a key part of risk mitigation, as well as time savings and reducing project expenditures.

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Collaboration

BIM processes make seamless collaboration among stakeholders possible. Architects, engineers, contractors, and owners can communicate and coordinate on projects in real time, so everyone can stay on the same page. Collaboration software can provide an important single source of truth where everyone can go for information on a project. When that information is on the cloud, it can be accessible instantly.

Most importantly, effective collaboration results in fewer errors, better efficiency and shorter schedules.

Innovation

As explained in a LinkedIn article in March 2023, BIM products will continue to integrate with emerging technologies like machine learning, drones, Internet of Things (IoT), digital cameras, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR).

Technology enables companies to capitalize on the data that BIM models contain –seemingly a limitless supply of information. With it, they can create better designs, make better decisions during construction, and provide owners at handover with much of the important information needed for future maintenance in the form of digital twins.

Combined with certain innovations, BIM can also serve an important role in taking the sting out of the skilled labor shortage, enabling companies to accomplish more with a smaller workforce. Using computer learning, companies can make sense of the data collected without taking a person’s time to comb through it.

Adoption

As implementation of BIM processes expands across the construction industry, they are becoming centrally important to planning, designing and managing projects. Every year, more mid-size and even small companies are realizing the need to implement BIM software in order to stay competitive. Fortunately, BIM tools like Autodesk Revit and its plug-ins are steadily becoming easier to use. Users can readily see how their work is improved through using BIM tools.

BIM processes overall continue to shape the construction industry and the buildings and infrastructure it produces in important ways. Successes build upon each other, and as they do, the result promises to be an even more efficient industry in the future.

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