Understanding the relation of BIM with individual-level collaboration for construction projects

There has be studies, showing the relationship between BIM and collaboration. But very few significant ones pertaining to individual-level collaboration. So this blog will present you with an insight into this particular topic, comparing the relationship between BIM with individual-level collaboration and its significance in construction projects.

The rapid increase in construction projects all around the globe is happening solely because of the technological advances we are witnessing on a regular basis. There are multiple points of importance while working on any construction project. The significance of Virtual BIM Coordination before starting Construction is one of those many points.

Collaboration in the construction industry in most layman’s language is when people having different interests come together in order to fulfill a common aim, through sharing information and coordinating with one another. But it is not as easy as it appears to be. During a project life cycle, there are multiple clashes and conflicts that break the rhythm of the project and hinder collaboration. Two professionals need to have utmost communication to be on the same page when working on a project. And without such a grasp of their communication, many projects fail. For individual-level collaboration, it is important to have nice relations in the past, trust, understanding, and cognitive ability. Though with more forward technologies now, we mostly don’t take these into consideration or rather tend to avoid them, these are the basic features to keep in mind when we talk about individual collaborations and the users.

For a great construction project, where several parties are involved, there needs to be interdisciplinary collaboration. With BIM, the collaboration between various parties and disciplines becomes quite sorted. It makes the entire process simpler by producing quality content. BIM Outsourcing surpasses many exceptional qualities, that allows users to have an edge over their projects. It has several characteristics that improve collaboration at different levels.

Let us now understand what we mean by BIM implementation and individual-level collaboration in terms of our construction industry.

The collaboration aims to add up to the competitive advantage, and for sure increases facilitates innovation, and coordinates and brings productivity to the table. It is due to the nature of the complexity that comes with construction projects makes multidisciplinary collaboration is a must. Without this, the individual professionals never stay in sync with the project steps and often this leads to mismanagement.

The construction industry is not very effective due to the disintegrated structure it follows. And this disintegration shows in the working system of the construction projects. With new technologies and tools, collaborative strategies are improving a lot. There are the latest methods of knowledge sharing and acquisition happening through tools.

Building information modeling is the most forward method to bring all the collaborative practices together and get a magnificent result. It enhances the collaboration of construction projects to a different level. Many professionals like designers, architects, etc get the most advantage out of using BIM. There is no solid proof or a hard document stating that implementing BIM in projects has anything to do with individual-level collaboration. but many professionals have confirmed that BIM provides efficiency and in-depth understanding to a great extent. It is proven to be the absolute method for project delivery as well. But for individuals, along with BIM, features like willingness to cooperate and willingness to share knowledge in collaborative environments may lead to ultimate project success.

How does BIM help in individual collaboration practices?

BIM increases the level of collaboration involving multiple people from different professional backgrounds in the case of construction projects. Project stakeholders can benefit the most from collaborative approaches in order to increase efficiency and effective project output. The information-rich model produced by the BIM technology allows individual professionals and teams to detect the problems of the project early on and enhance the quality of the final result.

BIM provides a collaborative platform for all the project stakeholders to have complete information and share knowledge through the model itself. Vigorous information accession and knowledge-sharing result in better communication, that in turn allows exchanging of clear, accurate, latest information among stakeholders and provides them with reliable knowledge. This also leads to better decision-making.

One definition for BIM given by AIA says

“BIM is a shared digital representation founded on open standards for interoperability”

which indirectly implements the use of BIM makes scope for better collaboration.

The BIM process goes through 4 major stages which are pre-BIM, object-based modeling, model-based collaboration, and network-based integration. Researchers have also suggested that an integrated system of project delivery in the construction sector is the final goal, which needs a higher level of collaboration among all the individual stakeholders and teams as well. BIM surpasses traditional methods when we talk about collaboration. Digital Construction Management for Project Managers rapidly improves the quality of construction and efficiency.

The resources are sparse in terms of showcasing the complexities of collaboration while implementing collaboration in all the projects. The individual users have their own interests, as well as the goals of their organization and project objectives that need to be parallel given the value of BIM. Collaborative practices have tremendous importance in successfully producing BIM models. The dynamic for teams, individual users, or the entire organization level is different for all. Even the common bases differ. Thus the collaboration impact differs as well.

A wholesome BIM experience can be achieved with the right combination of technology, knowledge, and the relationship between parties.

BIM helps in achieving the ultimate level of collaboration at an individual level as well. The BIM approaches when taken seriously, intensifies the whole collaborative efforts for an individual stakeholder. It is indeed a very important factor to have a great collaboration.

MaRS Trans USA has been working with several stakeholders on complex projects, for a long time now. They have proven to be at their top game when it comes to providing excellent BIM solutions. And in all these years of service, it has been very clear that collaboration is an immensely necessary factor to have the right BIM execution. No matter if it is on an organizational level or individual level, having collaboration makes the results better in terms of quality and the process more efficient.

MaRS has very well cracked the formula for implementing BIM practices and individuallevel collaborations for construction projects. It is not an easy step especially when humongous projects are there and several teams are involved. But with the right specifications, better collaborative efforts can be implemented to carry out the BIM modeling.