Barry McAuley, PhD Post-Doctoral Researcher 086 014 4853 bmcauley@cita.ie www.bicp.ie
BIM INNOVATION CAPABILITY PROGRAMME (BICP) CLIENT SURVEY Background The BICP Client Working Group surveyed a number of Clients within the Irish AEC sector in Q4 of 2016. A total of 45 responses were received. Table 1 details the responses from the different primary sectors. Sector Retail Education Pharmaceutical (Life Sciences) Health Industrial Sport and Leisure Residential Office Manufacturing Data Centre Construction Other
% 18% 22% 11% 13% 18% 7% 22% 24% 18% 11% 60% 24%
The majority of respondents (54%) reported that they had a high awareness of current ICT platforms (See Figure 1).
Figure 1 – Awareness of current ICT platforms
A total of 20% of the sample reported that they had a very high awareness. Only 15% reported a low awareness.
This short report details the key findings of the study.
What is the current size of your company? A good mixture of companies replied to the survey. The highest representation came from large organisations (250+) who represented 53% of the survey. The 1-49 staffed organisations was the second largest response with 22%. The remaining 15% consists of companies with a size of 1-9 staff ( 11%) or 50-249 (14%).
Do you agree at present that the current method of construction delivery is achieving your needs as a Client? The majority of respondents reported that their needs as clients are not currently been met (Figure 2).
Can you please rate your perceived awareness of current ICT platforms within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction /Facilities Management (AEC / FM) Sector. 1|Page
Figure2 – Achieving the needs of the Client
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A total of 37% of the Client response stated that their needs are been met. When asked to elaborate the following statements were recorded • •
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The client is not fully engaged in terms of BIM and they don't fully understand what they require at the end of the project. We have a robust project supply chain in Ireland using good practice but our corporate organisation understanding and management of BIM is poor. Lack of design coordination, inefficient communication of design intent to site. We always get the job done but we quickly need to become ever more competitive. The inefficiencies we experience as a part of a delivery team are no longer acceptable. The levels of collaboration and communication also must improve. Current construction methods are achieving delivery however it can definitely be improved upon. Supply chain have not got the ability and it's getting worse by the month. This question largely depends on when one takes the "construction delivery" period as commencing. For example the process of planning could be considerably improved upon as could the process of procurement of Contractors. The construction process itself is quite inefficient and would benefit significantly from better and more extensive use of BIM technology. Essentially handover of built asset information does not provide an efficient means by which the university can manage assets in terms of general FM and lifecycle analysis. Also, design and construction processes could be improved significantly by use of technologies and processes such as BIM. The current system is mainly paper based and is cumbersome. There is a lack of collaboration between internal and external design teams due to the current work practice structure.
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Construction is not looked at as a flow of work. We need a smarter client driven process. I think we are moving in correct direction in terms of improved co-ordination and use of BIM but are still underutilizing its full capability. The industry is currently too fragmented to deliver the value I am looking for.
In your experience are you the Client adequately involved in the DESIGN phases of a project? Please indicate the level of involvement. The majority of respondents (54%) reported that were routinely involved in the design process (Figure 3).
Figure 3 – Involvement in Design process
Only 15% of Clients stated that they had little to no involvement.
In your experience are you the Client adequately involved in the CONSTRUCTION phases of a project? Please indicate the level of involvement. As similar to above the majority of respondents (40 %) reported that were routinely involved in the construction process (Figure 4).
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Based on your involvement in the DESIGN process (if any) what would be the preferred medium for your organisation to review design information? Of the 32 responses the majority of Clients responded that they use 3D models with embbeded intelligent data (45%).
Figure 4 – Involvement in construction process
Only 14% of Clients stated that they had little to no involvement. Despite the high level of involvement of the clients within the design and construction process earlier results shows that here needs are still not been met through existing processes.
At what stage of the project would you the Client engage with the contractor?
Figure 6 – Preferred medium
A further 28% use 3D models for visualisation with 18% stating their companies preferred to use a 2D medium (Figure 6). When asked to elaborate the following comments were recorded: • • •
• Figure 5 – Client engage with contractor
The responses for this question was varied. The stage at which the client and contractor currently engage the most is during the developed design (31%). A quarter of the survey independently stated they had engagement with the contractor at either the concept design.
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At present, especially in the midlands not many companies / clients are requesting 3D. Power of BIM not understood in organisation. The complexity of the construction process and the extent of the various interfaces between the disciplines requires the use of an appropriate IT tool. Control, collaboration, clash detection, efficiency and visualisation. Preferred medium but not yet capable. Projects vary considerably, largely based on the complexity and size (spend) of the project. However, for the more complex projects visualisation and decision making is considerably improved by use of 3D modelling.
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This medium provides all stakeholders with clearer information to support and improve the design process BIM would be ideal but, there is a lack of experience in the construction sector. Too few companies have good BIM knowledge and this dissipates when the contract goes to construction. 3D literacy is a big issue. AutoCAD drawings and Word/NBS Specification. Typically use 3 D models - mixed use between visualisation and embedded intelligence. Concept / BOD reports are still issued though as paper based drawings for approval but we incorporate model reviews/ walkthroughs during the review process and do more in detailed design. It would really be soft copy pdfs/CADs to measure areas etc. For 3D we don't have the software inhouse for intelligent data. Efficient source of reliable consistent data
embbeded intelligent data (59%) during construction. A further 14% use 3D models for visualisation with 24% stating their companies preferred to use a 2D medium (Figure 7). When asked to elaborate the following comments were recorded: •
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Based on your involvement in the CONSTRUCTION process (if any) what would be the preferred medium for your organisation to review design information? •
Given the number of stakeholders involved in the design review from a non-construction background and with very limited construction IT expertise, a paper based approach has been adopted to design review. Ideally 3D Modelling with embedded intelligent data would be the preferred approach. We need to integrate design data into our existing infrastructure and enable design checks to be carried out. More accurate scheduling and costing. Again, preferred method but latest project paper based. Would reduce the need for changes during the construction phase. This medium provides all stakeholders with clearer information to support and improve the construction process. Too few companies have good BIM knowledge and this dissipates when the contract goes to construction. Starting to place model in construction office for reviews. Still have a lot of paper based stick fields that I see people using to gain information. Efficient source of reliable consistent data.
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What are the main barriers in using this selected medium to convey any possible concerns you may have with the design?
Figure 7 – BIM within the academic curriculum
Of the 29 responses, the majority of Clients once again responded that they use 3D models with
The main barrier cited was interoperability of different software platforms which received a weighting of 3.03. Ownership and protection of data (2.97) and the extent to which the selected platform could stand as a legal document (2.87) both ranked second and third respectively. Difficulty to visualise the various possibilities for layout of spaces (2.03) and difficulty to convey and understand technical aspects (2.19) both ranked as the least two concerning barriers.
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Are you aware or have you used any of the following particular innovative Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools to improve the overall management of buildings either during or after construction within the following areas? The highest weighted choice was sensor data and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technologies (both 1.87). BIM was ranked third with a weighting of 1.81. The least popular choice were either Mobile Technology or Augmented Reality. The following comments were recorded for each technology: Cloud Computing • Using a cloud based IT system for the issues and management of design information between design team and stakeholders. • Data transfer. • Presently only for transferring/storing large files. • Accessing and reviewing design information from other members of the design team. • Various projects with multinational industrial companies. BIM • Design for planning and tendering stage. • Design team using BIM to support the design process. • Specified for design of New Metro North. Previously used on Bergen light rail with Mott MacDonald. • Using BIM on projects to improve efficiency in coordination of services and improve fabrication. • Autodesk Building Design Suite - 3D design collaboration. • Used on about 70% of our major projects. • Requesting EPCM firms to complete design in BIM for co-ordination purposes not for scheduling/ cost control or Project Management.
Some architects are using lonely BIM - no federated models.
Mobile Technology • Smart phone and table checker. • EIDA for field snagging and action closeout. • Use of mobile construction software to record progress, snags and create reports. • Giving access to information on site. • Site inspection reports lodged to project files from iPad on site. • Used for construction inspections. • Smartphones and tablets in use. Augmented Reality • Used for visualisations - Planning and Concept Development. Virtual Reality • Google cardboard with 360 "streetview" photos of sites. • Have recently used on some concepts to walk people through model. RIFD • We developed our own software for mobile snagging on site. • RIFD is incorporated into the design to support asset use and management as part of business operations.
What ICT software do you use to support your Facility Management processes? The largest selection was spreadsheets (48%) and Building Management Systems (45%). This would indicate that despite Clients adopting BIM processes throughout the design and construction stage that in a number of cases they prefer to use spreadsheets during the FM stage. The least popular choice was Computer Aided Facilities Management (Figure 8).
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Do you ever use the data generated through the design and construction phase to operate a building The majority of clients (42%) do not use data generated during construction to operate the building (Figure 10).
Figure 8 – Software or FM
Figure 10 – Use of data during construction to operate
In what format is Operation & Maintenance (O&M) information usually received in by your organization after construction?
building.
When asked to elaborate on their response if selected yes the following answers were recorded: • • • •
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Figure 9 – O&M received after construction The majority of respondents selected a digital copy on a CD or DVD (85%). A high number of respondents also selected paper based (65%) or safety file (62%). Only 31% selected Specialised i.e. cloud, 3D models, etc. This again would indicate that Clients despite adopting BIM throughout construction are not utilising the asset information model (AIM) post occupancy.
The collection of service tags, specifications etc Data is usually double handled to transfer into operations systems. General use of data available in O&M Manuals to support FM and future refurbishment projects. The information is used to prepare a maintenance plan for the school building. It also contains all of the relevant information related to all installed systems including contact information. Complete PM / calibration records ( spreadsheet) during engineering and these form basis of updating / uploading the site sustaining system.
Prepared by The BICP Client Working Group (CitA/DIT) Published: April 2017
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