BIM Process: what is it and what are its benefits

If you are a professional, a company operating in the AEC sector or a technician employed in the public administration,  you will certainly have heard about the BIM process. You will also have heard of the gradual process of becoming mandatory in the world of design.

In this article, we will discover together the meaning of BIM process and why every technician should start to know it.

What is a BIM Process?

BIM, acronym for Building Information Modeling, is the process of creating and managing the information of a construction work throughout its life cycle.

The digital computer model, obtained through the application of the BIM methodology, contains all the physical and functional characteristics of the construction.

The BIM process not only returns a visual representation of the building, but turns out to be a dynamic and multidisciplinary information container.

A BIM model can contain any information, the most commonly entered ones concern the below:

• geographical location;
• geometric and volumetric data;
• the properties of the materials and technical elements;
• the implementation phases;
• technical drawings;
• documentation;

The BIM process allows a digital representation of the entire life cycle of buildings and infrastructures (from planning to redevelopment) and facilitates the exchange of information.

BIM process

The operating methods of a BIM process require each professional to carry out their part of the design discipline with their own BIM authoring software. Thanks to the BIM methodology, professionals are then able to exchange files via IFC format without losing any information. The final result is a single model that combines all the information of the various disciplines involved.

This collaborative BIM process management allows a seamless transfer of information, achieving enormous advantages in terms of control and management of an asset, throughout its entire life cycle.

The BIM process therefore represents a real breakthrough in the AEC sector and allows all the actors involved (architects, engineers, contractors) to work on a single model in a collaborative, fast and efficient way, with consequent savings in time and costs.

The BIM process and its dimensions: from 3D to 7D

For the reasons previously mentioned, BIM is not limited to simple three-dimensional modeling, but develops through different dimensions that enrich the design and construction process with strategic information, the so-called 7 dimensions of BIM:

• 3D forms the basis, providing a detailed digital model of the project;
• 4D integrates the temporal management of the project, allowing for effective work planning;
• 5D adds financial management, allowing for cost control and investment forecasting;
• 6D – is related to energy sustainability.
• 7D – facility management.

In addition to these established dimensions, new perspectives are emerging such as 8D for site safety, 9D for lean construction, and 10D for the industrialization of construction.

This evolution demonstrates how BIM is not just a digital model, but a dynamic system that optimizes every phase of the building’s life cycle, from design to maintenance, ensuring greater efficiency and sustainability in the construction sector.

The role of collaboration in the BIM process

In the BIM process, collaboration among the various stakeholders involved is a determining factor for the success of a construction project. Unlike traditional methods, where information is transmitted through separate documents and often subject to coordination errors, BIM allows all professionals (architects, engineers, designers, contractors, and infrastructure managers) to work on shared digital models. This multidisciplinary approach not only fosters smoother communication among teams but also allows for the identification and resolution of potential design conflicts in the preliminary phase, reducing the risk of errors and changes during construction.

Advanced tools, such as the Common Data Environment (CDE), allow for centralized document management, avoiding dispersion and ensuring that every modification is tracked and verifiable. Cloud platforms also facilitate the secure exchange of data among team members, enabling synergistic work even from a distance. The use of open standards like IFC ensures interoperability between different BIM software, facilitating the integration of information and improving operational efficiency.

From a practical standpoint, collaboration in the BIM process has a significant impact on multiple levels. In terms of time and cost management, it allows for more precise planning thanks to 4D modeling (which integrates the time factor) and 5D modeling (which incorporates the economic dimension). In the construction phase, the ability to monitor the progress of work in real-time reduces unforeseen events and improves resource management. Furthermore, throughout the entire life cycle of the building, continuous collaboration among the various stakeholders ensures more effective maintenance, supported by 6D and 7D modeling, which respectively concern the sustainability of the work and facility management.

What are the steps of a BIM process?

The end result of the BIM process is a digital computer model that considers its entire life cycle, from planning to maintenance, up to demolition/requalification.

To obtain this three-dimensional model enriched with information, all the actors of the building process collaborate dynamically. Each professional is responsible for designing the part of his competence and then share the file with the other designers obtaining a single information model.

The BIM methodology allow the creation of a single digital model useful throughout the entire life cycle of the work.

The phases of the BIM process

The BIM process is divided into a series of phases.

Scheduling

It represents the first step towards the realization of the project and involves several decisions including the definition of BIM uses and the identification of the designers responsible for the various steps of the process. The model elaborated in this phase is presented to the client and possibly modified.

Design

In this phase, not only the three-dimensional model is created, but also the other dimensions of the BIM come into play. A design phase that follows the criteria of the BIM methodology allows you to digitally build the artifact before it is even physically built, analyze sustainability (7D) and accurately predict the times (4D) and costs (5D) of implementation. This is the phase in which the BIM process becomes collaborative and multidisciplinary.

In order to clarify the role played by collaboration and interoperability in a BIM process, let’s have a look at an example.

The architect begins to design with a BIM authoring software and produces a three-dimensional architectural model with all the necessary information. At this point, sharing and interoperability come into play. The architect exports the IFC file and shares it with other professionals who can start to work on it.

The structural engineer, for example, imports the architectural model in the structural design software and proceeds with their design part. Once completed, the model is shared once again with the architect.

The architect will in turn update the architectural model by importing the structuralist’s data. The result will be a federated model (multidisciplinary digital model). The other disciplines, enriching the model with all the required information, follow the same rule. It is now necessary to use software to check the interference between the different IFC models. The result is a single digital model that will serve throughout the life cycle of the construction.

Construct

Applying the BIM methodology to the construction phase allows you to view the construction status and compare it with the expected evolution indicated in the initial project planning. This provides optimal control of the different elements of a project and allows you to detect any obstacles. This result in considerable time and cost savings. In fact, following the BIM process means reducing human error, detecting and correcting any interference before it reaches the execution phase.

Maintenance

The use of BIM allows you to manage the building during its entire life cycle and to link the information necessary for management and maintenance (6D) to the three-dimensional model.

Common challenges in implementing a BIM process

Implementing the BIM process represents a significant change in the construction sector, but its adoption is not without obstacles.

One of the main challenges concerns the lack of adequate skills: many professionals, accustomed to traditional methods, struggle to master advanced digital tools, making continuous training necessary to ensure effective use of BIM.

Additionally, resistance to change constitutes another critical factor, as the adoption of new workflows (BIM workflows) may encounter opposition from those tied to established processes.

The technological infrastructure can also pose a barrier, as the use of BIM requires advanced hardware and software, the updating of which entails significant investments.

Moreover, there is the issue of standardization: in many countries, the lack of unified guidelines and shared protocols complicates integration among different project stakeholders.

Another difficulty is the interoperability between various BIM software, as the platforms used by professionals do not always communicate effectively, causing problems in data sharing and processing.

Finally, there is the theme of productivity: during the initial implementation phase, the time required to learn new methodologies can temporarily reduce operational efficiency.

To overcome these challenges, companies can adopt targeted strategies such as creating dedicated BIM offices, using advanced collaborative platforms, implementing continuous training programs, and adopting pilot projects to test the process before large-scale implementation.

How to start with the BIM process: tools and best practices

To successfully initiate the BIM process, it is essential to follow a well-defined strategy that includes selecting the right tools and adopting best practices to ensure efficiency and interoperability, which can also be identified and represented through a BIM process map.

Essential tools for BIM

BIM modeling software

The choice of software depends on the project’s needs and the application sector. Modeling tools allow for the creation of detailed digital representations of buildings and infrastructures, integrating geometric and parametric information for efficient data management.

Collaborative platforms (CDE – Common Data Environment)

To optimize communication among different teams, centralized sharing environments are used, allowing real-time access and management of project information. These platforms improve coordination and reduce the risk of errors arising from outdated file versions.

Interoperability standards

To ensure a smooth workflow between different software and disciplines, open and standardized formats are adopted for data exchange. The use of interoperability protocols allows for the integration of information from different tools, improving collaboration among the professionals involved in the project.

Best practices for effective implementation

Initial planning

Define clear objectives and assign roles to the professionals involved to ensure an organized workflow.

Continuous training

Invest in training staff on BIM software and methodologies to reduce the risk of errors and improve operational efficiency.

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Coordinate architects, engineers, and contractors to foster a more collaborative design and construction process.

Centralized data management

Use a CDE to collect, update, and share all project information in a single digital environment, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies.

What are the benefits of the BIM process?

The advantages of the BIM process are considerable:

• simplification of the design and of any changes;
• reduction of human error;
• time savings;
• cost savings;
• digitization;
• interoperability;
• precise calculation of times and costs.

For this reason, if you have not already done so, I strongly recommend the implementation of BIM methodology and BIM processes by downloading the trial version of a BIM software for free to explore all the above-mentioned advantages!