Building Information Modeling (BIM) was introduced nearly ten years ago to distinguish the information rich architectural 3D modeling from the traditional 2D drawing. BIM is a building design methodology characterized by the creation and use of coordinated, internally consistent computable information about a building project in design and construction.

BIM Advantages

Owner Benefits of BIM

• Improved design quality, better performing building (systems coordination, engineering analysis)
• Fewer change orders (building systems clash detection)
• Schedule optimization (construction schedule simulation)
• Schedule compression (digital assisted fabrication, offsite fab)
• Efficient handover (data exchange for operations/maintenance)
• Risk reduction (more transparency)

Contractor Benefits of BIM

• BIM provides a good estimation during bidding and procurement
• BIM improves coordination in construction sequencing
• Effective marketing presentation of construction approaches
• BIM helps in identifying possible conflicts that may arise during building construction
• Risk reduction (better understanding of complexity)
• Building systems coordination (clash detection, layout)
• Shop drawing reduction (model to fabrication)
• Digital fabrication (steel, HVAC ducts, piping)
• Construction schedule optimization (visual schedule simulation)
• Cost estimating (quantity takeoffs)

Architect/Engineer Benefits of BIM

• Design prototype (space arrangements, assemblies, materials)
• Building systems coordination (space reservation, clash detection)
• Analysis (space, lighting, energy, structural)
• Drawing production quality (flexible, exploits automation, better coordinated)
• Design exploration/interrogation (data rich visual models)
• Engineering accuracy (measurement, context)

Team Benefits of BIM

• Efficient processes (forces process re-engineering)
• Improved collaboration (concurrent design, process to rally around)
• Better decisions (better coordinated information)
• Accelerated understanding (graphics + data)
• Efficiencies from reuse of data (enter once use many)
  Improved data quality (less data re-entry, less human error)