Question 1 (b): How the design team and the contractor can contribute to the BIM model?

One of the most important factors contributing to a successful project is effective

collaboration between project team members architects, engineers, general contractors and
owners. The coordination of many different disciplines during the design phase tends to be
challenging in most projects. With continuing advancements in BIM technology and its use, we
are moving to a more collaborative, model-based approach that allows each team members
perspective and contributions to be considered early in the design process which allows for an
optimal and better informed design to emerge.
BIM is able to achieve such improvements by modelling representations of the actual parts
and pieces being used to build a building. This is a substantial shift from the traditional computer
aided drafting method of drawing with vector file based lines that combine to represent objects.
BIM can be utilized to bridge the information loss associated with handing a project from the
design team, to the construction team and ultimately to the building owner/operator, by allowing
each group to add to and reference back to all information they acquire during their period of
contribution to the BIM model. For example, a building owner may find evidence of a leak in the
building. Rather than exploring the physical building, he may turn to BIM and see that a water
valve is located in the suspect location. He could also have in the model the specific valve size,
manufacturer, part number, and any other information ever researched in the past so long as
that information has been incorporated into the BIM (Halvorson, C., 2010).

Design team and contractors can contribute to BIM model by applying efficient processes
that proven in manufacturing industries, leveraging integrated data to support the entire building
lifecycle.

Diagram 1(b) Collaboration Model for Design, Construction & Operation

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is emerging as an innovative way to manage
projects. Building performance and predictability of outcomes are greatly improved by adopting
BIM. As the use of BIM accelerates, collaboration within project teams should increase, which
will lead to improved profitability, reduced costs, better time management and improved
customer/client relationships.

REFERENCES
Halvorson, C. (2010). BIM Recommendations. 1st ed. [ebook] United States: Arcadis U.S. Inc.
Available

at:

http://www.arcadis-

us.com/Content/ArcadisUS/docs/Buildings/ARCADIS_White_Paper_Building_Information_Mode
ling_Halvorson.pdf. [Accessed 14 Oct. 2015].