There has been increasing adoption of technology in the construction industry, whereby owners, architects, engineers, and contractors are seeking innovative means of improving productivity and controlling project costs. Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been recognised as an effective way of handling project information and coordinating activities as well as making decisions during the construction process.
But BIM software alone cannot deliver on all these aspects. An organisation needs certain processes, practices, and competencies to realise all that. This is where BIM consulting services come in.
Whether it is BIM strategy, BIM implementation, BIM coordination, modelling, and clash detection, or even project management, professional BIM consultants can help construction professionals utilise BIM technology.
What Is BIM and Its Significance?
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a digital technology used in planning, design, construction, and maintenance of buildings or infrastructure projects. Rather than using 2D drawings only, BIM technology uses a digital model of the project that may include architectural, structural, and MEP information.
A fully developed BIM model helps in visualising the building, coordinating between different aspects, detecting issues, and decision-making before the construction process.
In large and complex projects, BIM helps in collaborating between architects, structural engineers, MEP consultants, contractors, developers, etc. In addition to this, BIM technology has proved its worth through government and industrial projects in India.
What is BIM Consulting Service?
BIM consulting service refers to the guidance offered to organisations that seek to apply BIM in their construction projects.
In this regard, the BIM consultant analyses the needs of the project in question and assists in establishing BIM standards, workflow, modelling needs, coordination, and information management. This can further extend to BEP, project needs, technology, quality, training, and implementation.
The goal of BIM consulting services is not to develop a 3D model. It is to organise the project information.
Improvement of Construction Processes through BIM Consultancy Services
1. Effective Coordination among Project Teams
The construction process consists of simultaneous efforts in various disciplines. Architects, structural engineers, MEP consultants, contractors, and sub-contractors require access to consistent and accurate data.
In a BIM model, all data is collected in one place. With the assistance of BIM consultancy services, appropriate workflow processes can be established that will allow for the coordination of data models and discovery of any conflicts before implementation on site.
Effective coordination can lead to reduced communication issues, revisions, and project delays.
2. Detection of Conflicts within Designs
Early detection of design conflicts is one of the main benefits of the use of BIM technology.
Conflicts between an HVAC duct and the structure beam, or conflicts between the plumbing services and electrical services, are some of the examples where BIM modelling and clash detection are important to sort out those issues during the design process.
It is easier and less time-consuming to deal with conflict issues in the digital world compared to after the installation process has started on-site.
3. Precise BIM Modelling
Precise BIM modelling helps create a realistic image of the proposed building design. In accordance with the project’s requirements, architectural, structural and MEP elements can be modelled together with relevant project data.
The standards for the models are set by BIM consultants to ensure that the level of detail and information is acceptable in the models.
4. Enhanced Planning of Construction Process
BIM technology can be used to create construction planning in relation to the project schedule through the digital model. The 4D BIM allows the project teams to visualise the construction process and see how activities should unfold in time.
This allows for better identification of potential issues in sequence and planning of the construction process.
For complicated projects, model-based planning can help the teams better understand the interrelationship between design, construction activities and project milestones.
5. More Effective Cost and Quantity Control
BIM is also useful for quantity take-offs and cost planning. The coordinated model can provide the team with the necessary quantities for the different elements and link them to the cost data of the project.
Such an approach could help monitor changes and understand their possible impacts on the project budget.
The 5D BIM uses the same principle but links the model data with cost data.
6. Decrease in Rework and Construction Mistakes
Rework may have a big impact on the schedule and budget of any construction project. One of the possible causes of rework is inconsistency between design, coordination problems, and incomplete information.
BIM consultants facilitate the development of processes for model checking, coordination, clash checking, and information verification. Thus, potential problems may be identified earlier and avoided on the construction site.
This helps to achieve a more consistent and predictable construction process.
7. Better Decision Making
BIM model gives an informative representation of the building for all participants of a construction project.
Instead of solely relying on conventional drawings and other documents, stakeholders will be able to examine the digital model to gain a better understanding of spaces, systems, and relations between design solutions and construction requirements.
8. Standardised BIM Processes
Construction companies may have their own methods of handling drawings, models, project data, and coordination. The lack of standard processes makes the BIM adoption process difficult.
The BIM consultants in India can assist in developing project-specific or organisational standard processes for modelling, naming conventions, documentation, coordination, data exchange, and quality control.
Having a BIM process structure will make the process easier for the team members.
Why Collaborate with BIM Consultants in India?
In India, there is a community of architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and infrastructure organisations that have embraced the use of digital building solutions. Collaborating with seasoned BIM consultants in India will allow organisations to gain access to specialised expertise without having to create an entire BIM management team internally.
Some of the services BIM consultants could offer include:
- BIM implementation plan
- Development of BIM Execution Plan
- BIM standards & workflow
- Architectural, structural & MEP coordination
- BIM modelling & documentation
- Clash detection & resolution
- 4D construction planning
- 5D costing & quantities
- Model quality assurance audits
- BIM training & implementation support
- Guidance on CDE
- BIM project management
Of course, the specific scope will depend on the nature of the project.
BIM Consulting at Various Project Phases
The use of BIM consultancy services is not restricted to only the design phase. The use of BIM can benefit several phases of construction projects.
Phase Before Construction
At the pre-construction phase, BIM can be used for design reviews, feasibility studies, coordination, quantity takeoffs, and project planning. Potential problems can be identified in advance through BIM use.
Design Development
At design development, BIM modelling helps to integrate information from architecture, structure, and MEPs. Coordination and clash detection may help in identifying any clashes between the disciplines.
Construction
At the construction stage, BIM can help in sequencing, coordination, tracking progress, quantification, and construction site planning. The coordinated model can act as a basis for understanding the design by all the parties.
Handover and Facility Management
At the end of the project, the BIM model may carry vital information about building components and systems. This information, when well-structured and managed, will be able to help with facility management, maintenance, renovations, and other asset management operations in the future.
BIM Consultancy is Not Just Another Form of 3D Modelling
There is an incorrect notion out there that BIM is yet another type of 3D modelling. It goes much deeper than 3D modelling.
For effective use of BIM, appropriate information standards, responsibilities, processes, collaboration, technology, and quality are required.
Therefore, professional BIM consultancy services such as Shreshtha Consultants are essential for companies to help them understand how to use BIM and for what purpose.
Typical industry practice for BIM consultancy services includes BIM strategy, BIM implementation, BIM standards, BEP development, technology evaluation, workflow optimisation, training, and quality/maturity evaluation.
Selecting an Ideal BIM Consultant
While looking for an ideal BIM consultant, construction firms need to look beyond the competence of the consulting firm in using BIM software. An effective BIM consultant needs to be familiar with workflow processes, multidisciplinary coordination, project requirements, information management, and practical site conditions.
Some of the issues to be considered include:
- Experience in handling projects similar to yours
- Knowledge of BIM standards and best practices
- Architectural, structural and MEP knowledge
- BIM modelling and coordination capability
- Model quality control and assurance
- Requirement for project information
- BIM implementation and training capability
- Good communication and project management skills
The ideal BIM consultant can turn your BIM modelling into a project management tool.
Conclusion
Information accuracy, coordination, proper planning, and collaboration are some of the elements that are required during construction projects. BIM integrates all of the above elements into one digital system of project and building information.
Using professional BIM consulting services helps companies create BIM strategies, coordinate information, improve BIM modelling procedures, identify clashes early, manage costs and schedules, and make decisions about the projects.
Organisations seeking to use BIM or enhance the existing system of BIM need to use the help of BIM consultants in India, who have the technical know-how required for the implementation of an effective and coordinated construction workflow.
Shreshtha Consultants can help organisations that want to utilise BIM for improved coordination, planning, and an efficient construction process.
FAQs
1. What are BIM consulting services?
The term BIM consulting services refers to providing professional consultation for BIM implementation and management. The consulting could comprise such aspects of the process as BIM strategy, BIM execution plans, modelling, coordination, clash detection, quality assurance, and workflow development.
2. What is BIM modelling?
This process involves creating digital representations of buildings or other infrastructure projects. The models could be composed of architecture, structure, and MEP information in order to let different teams collaborate in a single digital model.
3. Is BIM useful only for 3D modelling?
No, it is not. BIM is more than just 3D modelling. BIM includes digital modelling, along with project information, collaboration, coordination, standards, workflows, and information management, that contribute to better decision-making throughout the entire construction process.
4. What criteria should businesses use to choose a good BIM consulting firm?
Businesses should consider a consultant’s experience, BIM modelling capabilities, multidisciplinary coordination skills, knowledge of BIM standards, quality assurance policies, project management skills, and prior experience with similar construction projects.
5. What are the services provided by Indian BIM consulting companies?
Indian BIM consulting companies such as Shreshtha Consultants could offer BIM implementation strategies, BIM modelling, multidisciplinary coordination, clash detection, BIM execution plans, 4D planning, 5D cost/quantity services, model audits, training, and BIM project management services.
