What is BIM Document Management Software?

Efficient sharing and management of files are important tasks for effective organization and project success, especially for engineers and architects in the construction industry. BIM files can be difficult to keep organized because they store references and metadata. Systems used for managing normal files like network drives, Dropbox, or SharePoint aren’t intended to handle complex BIM files. This can make everyday tasks like sharing and managing files tedious. BIM document management software should be an important tool to consider for engineers and architects in construction.

History

BIM has been increasing in popularity over the past couple of decades. A Firm Survey Report by AIA reports that about 88% of mid-size and 100% of large firms use BIM for projects. 37% of small firms use BIM for projects, a number that has steadily increased from 7% in 2005.

To put it simply, BIM is the transition from 2D to 3D. BIM allows architects, engineers, and construction workers to have a 3D rendering of a building. Then, they can more easily see what the model is going to look like when it is built.

BIM requires different design tools. Typically, designers had used 2-D CAD Software to create building drawings. Now, more are using 3D modeling software’s to design a complete and integrated view of the building.

BIM provides several benefits to the project:

• Higher quality - Designers can more easily identify clashes between designs.
• All in one place - Comprehensive information about the building can be included and viewed in the BIM model - down to the type of door from which manufacturer and what model.
• Better lifetime customer experience - Owners can now review models to see what their building will look like before it is even built.

A study by McKinsey found that 75% of companies that have adopted BIM reported positive returns on their investments.

How do we share and manage construction files?

Typically, files were shared and managed using network drives, email, and simple document exchange cloud platforms. We manage our files using our default file explorer app and store our data on our own servers connected to network drives. We share our files with shareable links to our file location or through emails.

There are several challenges with these methods:

• Capturing the correct BIM model reference files.
• Ensuring you have the correct version.
• Ensuring your file is approved.
• Working with the correct format.
• Incorporating feedback and comments into your files.
• Viewing file information and metadata.

How do these challenges effect your projects?

Impacting your BIM projects

Sharing files and communicating between project stakeholders can be error prone and time consuming. With BIM models especially, more stakeholders than ever need to share models so they can work on a single BIM model or share their models with each other. This requires designers, project managers, subcontractors, and owners to be able to effectively share files with each other.

Inefficient processes around controlling and sharing files can lead to miscommunication and more time spent on nonvaluable tasks. Construction projects are often plagued by cost overruns produced by miscommunication, high costs, and project delays. The National Institute of Standards and Testing (NIST) estimates that this lack of interoperability costs building owners $15.8 billion annually.

Why BIM Document Management Software

There are many ways to improve project budgets. Sharing and managing files is only a single piece of the puzzle. However, sharing files is done so often and can have such an impact that it is an important place to start. Including BIM and good BIM document management strategies can improve operations and improve project success.

BIM Document Management improves team collaboration and workflow efficiency.

Having a “single source of truth” to find and share files helps improve team collaboration and improve work efficiency. Being able to easily share files can improve collaboration to solve problems better. Having a single location to share files can decrease the amount of time spent on non-valuable tasks and increase time spent on more tasks like designing and problem solving.

BIM document management enables clients to engage with projects prior to construction.

High levels of BIM that include a single BIM document management platform, allows owners to collaborate in the design process and get better views of what the building will look like before breaking ground. This can help ensure better client satisfaction.

BIM document management platforms follow buildings throughout their lives.

Having a single location for BIM documents to live throughout the life of the project can improve not only the design and build workflows, but also maintenance and renovations. This can help increase the efficiency of the design process further in the future. This can help clients solve long-term problems with storing and managing files. Keeping client’s happy long term can help create a better relationship and, in some cases, repeat work.

Conclusion: The Future of BIM Document Management

With the increasing popularity of BIM over the past few decades the next step to unlock the benefits of a BIM strategy is good document management. Good BIM document management can improve visibility into your project, improve communication, and minimize time spent on non-valuable tasks. Allowing better collaboration and improved efficiency can chip away at the cost overruns of projects and help your project stay on budget. Improved visibility into projects can improve client satisfaction by being included in the development process and having an inside look into the project before it is built. This can also provide long-term customer satisfaction by helping them efficiently design renovations and keep all the necessary information in one place.

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