Benefits of BIM

Benefits to the Planner/Designer

• Use of Program Design tools such as Trelligence Affinity, which will link the project's program to other BIM tools such as Archicad and Revit.
• Use of integrated analysis tools such as Ecotect, IES Virtual Environment and Green Building Studio afford better environmental design aspects much earlier in the design process.

Benefits to the Cost Engineer

• Utilizing more accurate quantities from a building information modeling source.
• Tools such as Innovaya and Autodesk QTO typically use data extracted from Revit or Archicad and combine the quantities with cost databases such as Sage Timberline Office.

Benefits to the Owner

• Using accurate, 3D information models can help owners make more informed decisions about the feasibility of a proposed project.
• Tools such as Beck DProfiler or the Onuma Planning System fit this profile.

Benefits to the Architectural Designer

• http://www.aia.org/tap_default
• Reduces administrative work allows focus on design
• Assists with faster coordination of disciplines
• Automates drawing set navigation
• Allows model checkers to assist with quality control

Benefits to the Electrical Designer

• Improved coordination of electrical systems – prevent clashes with other systems like plumbing, structural elements and mechanical systems

Benefits to the Mechanical Designer

• Improved Coordination with other disciplines and contractors
• Added efficiency to generate documents
• 3D geometry with spatial relationships and attributes
• Easily extract HVAC data from the 3D Model
• Integration with Energy Analysis applications Such as IES VE
• Data for building commissioning and recommissioning is readily available

Benefits to the Plumbing Designer

• Fixture schedules can be synchronized or linked to the architects schedule with a mere key stroke if desired.
• Fixture schedules, plans, riser diagrams, sections and details can be automatically synchronized
• Designer and his/her collaborators can visualize fixture layout and piping in 3D throughout the design process.
• Collisions and interferences can be determined immediately and automatically by software and integrated designs. NO MORE RFIs to process, THE BIM contains the information they need.
• Riser diagrams can be developed once and then automatically synchronized with the plans. All engineering data, (such as drainage fixture units) can be automatically and continuously followed in plan and analyzed in a variety of views and filters.
• Revisions to the plan, including architecture, can be checked in much less time compared to CAD or drafting methods.
• Designer can add, delete, and modify fixtures and outlets easily with automatic update to the engineering data and the model.

Benefits to the Landscape Designer

• Ability to analyze costs
• Strategize irrigation systems more thoroughly
• Run sun studies to find the best locations for plants

Benefits to the Structural Designer

• Faster generation of structural detailing drawings
• Optimized parameters of the structural model following design rules
• Less approximations, more refined engineering design based on sound theory
• Integrated modeling, analysis and design (instead of splitting up the tasks)
• Better cooperation with the architectural designer and HVAC designer by exchanging models
• More attention to cost factors by studying alternative solutions on one model
• Integration with CAE solutions to achieve better and optimzed constructions

Benefits to the Telecom Designer

• ?

Benefits to the Civil Engineering Designer

• ?

Benefits to the Cost Engineer

• ?

Benefits to the Specifications Writer

• Generate draft specification from materials and systems embeded in model
• QC specfication against model for verification
• Single data points for drawings, specifications, estimate, construction

Benefits to the Owner

• Rapid design fromusing "kit of parts" or dynamic prototyping approach -- USAF
• Standardized facility production increases productivity and economies of scale for IDIQ contract approach -- USACE
• Accurate numbers for leasable space -- GSA
• Best way to maximize investment for DBOM (Design, Build, Own, Maintain) -- Mortenson, U of W project
• Analyses are done during design to improve the building's performance rather than having to change an existing facility later
  

Benefits to the Construction Manager

• Toolbox talks can now use visualization for relaying information for safety or quality
• Phasing
• Sequencing
• Logistics Planning
• Scope clarification during bidding

Benefits to the Construction Contractor

• Visualize what is to be built
• Collaborative review
• Interference checks (e.g., fire suppression piping running through the ductwork)
• Rehearse construction plans and sequences
• Rehearse heavy lifts and difficult carry-in movements
• Rehearse yard operation and site logistics
• More "what if" scenarios made possible by the sum total of all the “rehearsal” options
• Plan errors are found when building the models. Hence, fewer errors and omissions requiring corrections by the contractor and additional bills to owners.
• Saves time in staking out the project
• Enable GPS driven machine control equipment
• Provide a platform to study, plan and insert temporary construction such as scaffolding
• Fewer surprises in the field
• More prefabrication of materials and even some assembly in a controlled, factory environment which typically results in higher quality at a lower cost.
• Makes it possible for non-technical people to better visualize the final result
• Fewer callbacks and lower warranty costs
• Reduced risk
• Less construction material waste
  

Sections above quoted from Dean Bowman's blog article at: http://communities.bentley.com/blogs/dean_bowman_bentleys_blog/archive/2007/09/28/what-does-a-contractor-need-to-get-from-design-part-1-advantages-of-computer-models.aspx

Benefits to the Owner

• Visualizing helps the owner's groups see what they will be getting resulting in dealing with less change orders during construction
• Issues resolved in trade coordination, makes for more streamlined installation resulting in better quality construction
• Assists in public marketing material
  

Benefits to the Occupant

• ?

Benefits to the Owner

• ?

Benefits to the Occupant

• Facility management

Benefits to the Owner

• ?

Benefits to 6D - Sustainability

• Green BIM: "Green BIM: Successful Sustainable Design with Building Information Modeling"
• BIM and LEED: BIM Functionalities vs. Green Building Performance Requirements
• BIM supports IPD, which is crucial for the success of green design, e.g. the design charrette process
• Green strategies, such as LEED strategies could be supported by the alternative design functionalities of most current BIM software solutions
• Building Performance and Energy Analysis (BPEA) using BIM through cutting-edge energy simulation solutions, CFD, Lighting Design (Radiance) and to name a few. 
• QTO and Intelligent 3D objects can capture material contents, attributes and other information that are crucial to provide project team a full control of material input into the project. Recycled content, rapid renewable material percentage, regional materials, even embodied energy could be obtained from the BIM model
• Integration of GIS into BIM could support sustainable site development, including development density analysis, brownfield development analysis, public transportation access, and to name a few.
• Help monitor impacts of buildings on climate chagne, noticeably the carbon emission potential. By entailing the power of Energy Management System and other Intelligent Building strategies, BIM will be able to monitor the energy resources and consumption, which could then be interpreted into Carbon Emission potential. A more rigorous strategy could be performing a LCA of green building using BIM, and establish the benchmark of carbon footprint for green buildings. 
• Promote productivity and residents health in built environment. IAQ control through well thought strategy during design stage; HVAC design considering the well balanced natural and mechanical ventilation, thermal comfort requirements of residents; monitoring of carbon dioxide concentration and other VOCs concentration; open space and daylighting design... All these could be potentially achieved through BIM. 

Benefits to 7D - Safety

• Design for Safety
• OSHA regulation integration into BIM model
• Code Checking such as CORENET in Singapore

Benefits to nD - ...

Steve Spangler, US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering Research and Development Center, CAD/BIM Center, USACE/ERDC

• http://www.erdc.usace.army.mil/pls/erdcpub/www_welcome.navigation_page?page=All&tmp_next_page=305106
• Additional Army Corps of Engineers resources

Nist report 7417 

• Nist report 7417, A clear matrix appendix A - Benefits Chart starts on page 82.
  This chart appears courtesy of Paul King, Bentley Systems, Inc.

http://www.facilityinformationcouncil.org/bim/pdfs/nistir_7417.pdf

Center for Facilities Engineering at Stanford University, CIFE

• Here is a great resource from the Center for Facilities Engineering at Stanford Universtity, and the text I often use to describe the comprehensive project benefits of BIM – when the project has that vital ingredient - teamwork.

  http://cife.stanford.edu/VDCSurvey.pdf

  Contribution by Ken Stowe - Construction Business Development - AEC Division at Autodesk, Inc.

Ken Stowe - Construction Business Development - AEC Division at Autodesk, Inc

The construction industry is in the early stages of an historic transformation: from a 2D environment to a model-based environment.  The benefits are many and are enjoyed by various members of the project team.  Some firms are leading in planning and directing the whole team in BIM participation, implementing best practices, and making a point of measuring those benefits.  The savings can be in the millions of dollars.  The project durations are being reduced by weeks or months.

High-performing teams are moving to BIM Benefits for the Whole TEAM and a framework for pursuing peak performance from their BIM solution. Advanced builders combine excellence in BIM with Lean Construction principles of reduced waste and rework, better process, “making things happen” and a focus on value.  Calculations of the Return on Investment will convince you that your projects can enjoy a lot of savings resulting from the transformation to model-based communications and a focus on digital cooperation.

There are ten measurable ways for project teams to benefit from a comprehensive BIM solution.  They fall into two categories – each with 5 ways to leverage BIM.

Mike Bordenaro, Co-founder, BIM Education Co-op 

My two favorite benefits of BIM are 1) Transparency of Data and 2) Levels of Detail.

Transparency of Data allows me to be myself, which has greatly increased my productivity. It has also required me to say "The Emperor has no clothes" in very public forums.

Levels of Detail lets me say just how few clothes the Emperor has without causing him too much embarrassment.

Being a writer/publisher focused on advanced technology in the building industry, I don't seek the typical benefits of BIM, such as increased coordination of drawing sets. I look for large-scale societial benefits of reduced errors, improved energy performance and higher quality at lower costs.

The biggest hinderance to achieving these benefits is the lack of Universal acceptance, support and implementation of Open Standards as represented by the work of the buildingSMARTalliance.

Now I am singing to the choir. 

Best regards, Mike Bordenaro, Co-founder, BIM Education Co-op mbordenaro@cs.com