What is the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) and what is used for?

The use of the BIM methodology represents the most efficient and effective way to develop a project within the AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) sector.

What you need to know is that for the successful application of the BIM methodology, the drafting of a good BEP (BIM Execution Plan) is essential and preparatory. Let me explain why.

Furthermore, I present to you a case study regarding the creation of the BEP for the Recycle BIM project, one of the initiatives launched by ACCA for the implementation of BIM.

The project focuses on a phase of the asset’s life cycle that is still little investigated: demolition and deconstruction, and aims to plan and optimize the circularity of construction materials from demolitions, through digital modeling and the implementation of the BIM methodology.

This work was partially funded by the ERA-MIN 3 action, which received funding from the European Union under the Horizon 2020 program from the European Commission grant agreement no. 101003575.

What is a BIM Execution Plan?

The BIM Execution Plan (BEP) is a fundamental document for the success of the BIM project and represents one of the reference functional tools for the correct management of a BIM order and for the synchronization of the workflow, from project planning to construction management.

The scope is to:

• provide guidelines on the management of the definition level (LOD) and on the management of information in BIM;
• help the work team identify their roles.

The BEP analyzes the client’s requests and the contractual contents present in the Information Specifications, describes through which decision-making phases, means, methods and IT solutions, the work team will lead and direct the BIM project. In addition, it clearly indicates the roles and responsibilities of the various professionals involved in the team.

The meaning of BEP in BIM explained in an image

A careful drafting of the BEP will guarantee on the one hand the satisfaction of the contractual contents and the needs of the various stakeholders and on the other a better communication and collaboration within the working group, with consequent timeliness in deliveries.

What are the two types of BIM Execution Plan?

There are two types of BIM Execution Plan, whose substantial difference is closely linked to the moment in which they are drawn up.

Pre-contract BEP – is required during the tender phase and serves potential suppliers to demonstrate their ability to meet the client’s requests. To this information are generally added details on the modelling of the information and on the design steps.

Post-contract BEP – is drawn up at the time the tender was awarded. The BIM Execution Plan is an official document with contractual value.

Obviously the post-contract BEP will require a greater effort: to the contents already present in the pre-contract BEP it is necessary to add some management information, project planning and analysis of the methods as well as description of the technological information solutions. For this reason, I advise you to better manage the design activities and data of the BIM process through a BIM collaboration platform that offers high security standards and allows you to work properly according to the BIM methodology.

Who prepares a BIM Execution Plan?

The BEP pre-contact award is drawn up by each potential supplier to describe the skills of their work team, to provide details on the BIM project’s digitalisation infrastructure capabilities, to propose their IT Solutions and at the same time also provide a project implementation schedule and a technical-economic proposal.

The post-contract BEP is instead drawn up by the contractor and the design team once the tender award phase has been completed.

Once the contract has been awarded, all the actors in the process will have to define the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) more accurately and comprehensively, including more operational details regarding the development and management of the BIM project.

What are the contents of the BIM Execution Plan?

The drafting of a BEP will always roughly follow a specific template, adapting it to the context of the specific order.

Often the model for writing a good BEP can be difficult, for this reason I give you an example of content that you should develop within a BEP:

• contractual contents present in the EIR (Employers Information Requirement);
• contractual contents described in the pre-contract BEP;
• contents aimed at confirming compliance with the specifications;
• previous skills and experience;
• technical and performance characteristics of the infrastructure;
• information modelling;
• definition of levels of information development (LOD);
• operational details of the management and management of the BIM project;
• roles and matrix of responsibilities (RACI or RAM);
• definition of cooperation processes;
• description of IT Solutions;
• objectives and uses of information models;
• definition of the information documents;
• compliance with standards;
• BIM software
• storage methods and delivery strategies.
• how data is shared;
• to be used during the project and its versions;

This is just an example of how to structure a BIM Execution Plan, but the contents can vary according to the specific order.

How to draft a BIM Execution Plan?

The creation of a BIM Execution Plan is closely linked to the specific order.

This means that there will be as many BEPs as there are projects. Below I propose a summary of the highlights that can serve as a guide for the planning and execution of a BIM Project.

The drafting of a BIM Execution Plan should follow the following fundamental steps:

1. identification of the objectives and uses of BIM within the specific project: identify and analyse the objectives achievable through the application of the BIM methodology and describe what potential of BIM will be exploited to achieve these objectives. Once the fields of application of the BIM have been defined, for each of them the component, or components, of the team responsible must be identified, indicating the level of competence, experience and capacity;
2. identification of BIM derivatives;
3. identification of the phases of the BIM process, information modeling, identification of roles and responsibilities;
4. identification of the infrastructure needed to develop a good BEP;
5. definition of interdisciplinary interchange rules and methods of data sharing.

How to write a BIM Execution Plan

What makes a BIM Execution Plan good?

As already mentioned, the BEP is processed on the basis of the specific order and therefore the specific requests of the client.

A BEP becomes a good contractual document if it meets the requirements of the specifications by providing an accurate analysis and description of the fields of application of BIM within the specific BIM Project, identifying roles, responsibilities, times, costs and delivery methods.

The Fundamental Role of the BEP in the RecycleBIM Project

Now let’s move on to a case study that involved ACCA software in the implementation of BIM processes for managing materials from the demolition and dismantling processes of an asset at the end of its life cycle.

For further insights on the Recycle BIM project, also read:

• RecycleBIM: a step forward towards the circularity of construction materials
• Product Data Template and LOIN specifications in the RecycleBIM project

In the context of the Recycle BIM project, the BEP takes on an even more significant role. It is not just about establishing protocols for collaboration and data management, but also about specifically addressing the information requirements (EIR – Exchange Information Requirements) for projects oriented towards circularity and demolition. The BEP ensures that all stakeholders are aligned and that project information is effectively managed, from the initial planning phases to final delivery and beyond.

The implementation of a BEP in the Recycle BIM project brings numerous benefits, including:

• better collaboration among stakeholders, promoting effective communication and a cohesive work environment;
• increased efficiency through optimized workflows, reducing time and costs;
• higher quality thanks to better control measures;
• risk reduction through early identification and mitigation of potential issues;
• greater transparency due to clear documentation of roles, responsibilities, and processes.

Recognizing the lack of detailed templates for BEP, especially for demolition projects, the initial goal was to provide specifically tailored and comprehensive templates for BIM- driven projects oriented towards circularity, both for demolition and new construction.

Below, I propose the structure of the BEP template for:

• demolition and deconstruction works: Track: To Be-Demolished;
• new construction works: Track: New Construction.

Structure and Contents of the BEP for the “Track: To Be-Demolished” (Demolition and Deconstruction)

Annex 1 of the document prepared during the study initiated for the Recycle BIM project presents the structure of the BEP template specifically designed for demolition and deconstruction projects.

This template is structured to guide the parties involved in the implementation of BIM in this specific type of projects.

The main structure includes the following sections:
1. Introduction:

• Purpose and scope of the document: defines the objective of the BEP and the project phases. It emphasizes the preliminary nature of the pre-BEP and its role in assessing the maturity and information delivery methods by the contractor.
• BIM objectives for the demolition project: specifies the benefits of using BIM in demolition projects, such as collaboration, the creation of 3D models for identifying key elements and hazardous materials, quantification of materials for selective demolition and recycling, identification of safety risks, cost and time savings, and integration with secondary product markets to promote circularity.
• Project information: provides general details about the project, the asset to be demolished, and a high-level list of deliverables, including asset information, digital survey data (point clouds), materials inventory, deconstruction information model, and material quantity takeoff.
• Project stakeholders and their functions: identifies the various stakeholders involved (client/owner, demolition operator, waste manager, digital surveyor, BIM modeler, digital data consultant, etc.) and describes their specific roles and responsibilities within the context of the demolition project. A table with the contractor’s contacts and their functions is included.

2. Information Delivery Strategy:

• Objectives of collaborative information production: describes how the BIM-driven approach will enhance transparency, productivity, information quality, responsiveness to requests, competitive advantage, innovation, and the transition to sustainable practices in demolition.
• Organizational structure and composition of the delivery team: outlines the contractor’s team structure, highlighting key roles and responsibilities for BIM implementation.
• Responsibility matrix of the delivery team: specifies who is responsible, who should be consulted, informed, or involved for each deliverable package (waste manager, digital surveyor, BIM modeler, digital data consultant).
• Applied technologies: lists the software that will be used to produce the deliverables, including native formats and versions. The use of the client’s Common Data Environment (CDE) and the responsibilities of both parties are specified.
• Project model federation strategy: illustrates how the project information model (PIM) will be segmented to facilitate collaboration.
• Delivery team mobilization plan: describes the process to be implemented before the project starts to mitigate risks, including a checklist for team definition, skills assessment, training, software and hardware selection, and communication procedure definition.
• Information delivery procedures: defines the key steps for creating and delivering information to the client, including model creation, quality control, review meetings, uploading to the CDE, addressing comments, and data transfer.

3. Information Standards, Methods, and Procedures for Information Production:

• Project-specific standards: lists the reference standards (ISO 19650, CEN/EN 17412-1/ISO 7817, ISO 16739-1, EWC Codes, Uniclass) and the units of measurement that will be used.
• Conventions for identifying information containers: defines the naming scheme for files and models, including codes for project, origin, subdivision, location, and disciplinary and document type differentiators.
• Authoring software and data: specifies the importance of authoring software and versions for interoperability and the commitment to exchange data in both proprietary and open formats. A procedure for managing large files is defined.
• Information management functions: presents a responsibility matrix for various information management activities (software configuration, data formatting, monitoring data exchange, federation strategy, etc.).
• Information creation and collaboration process: describes in detail the procedures for surveying the asset (inventory of components, materials, and machinery), acquisition through laser scanning, BIM modeling (with specific rules for the naming of objects and materials), and data parsing for the marketplace. A table with personnel responsible for different activities is attached.
• Coordination strategy and quality control procedures: defines the types of meetings, their frequency, participants, and location. Describes QA/QC procedures to ensure the accuracy and compliance of information, including a verification checklist.
• Information security strategy: defines the security levels for information generated by the project, in accordance with ISO 19650-5:2020, and the responsibilities for classification and access.
• Risk management strategy: describes the process of identifying, assessing, mitigating, and monitoring risks associated with the use of BIM. A form for the risk register is provided.
• Deviations from the EIR and their justification: includes a section to document any deviations from the information requirements and their related justifications.

Appendices:

• Master Information Delivery Plan (MIDP): A template for detailed planning of information delivery.
• Mobilisation Checklist: A checklist to be completed before the start of information production.
• Pre-demolition Material Inspection Template Form: A template for data collection during the inspection of materials before demolition.

Structure and Contents of the BEP for “Track: New Construction“

Annex 2 of the document presents the structure of the BEP template adapted for new construction projects, with a specific focus on energy analysis and design sustainability.

This template highlights the differences compared to the BEP for demolition, addressing the specific informational requirements for new projects.

The main structure includes the following sections:

1. The scope of the BEP: defines that the BEP for new construction focuses on the differences compared to the BEP for demolition, particularly regarding the specific informational requirements for this type of project, such as energy analysis and the promotion of material circularity in the future demolition phase.
2. Key provisions of the EIR:
   • BIM project objectives: specifies the objectives of using BIM in new projects, including collaboration, understanding the connectivity of elements for design for deconstruction, providing environmental data for energy simulation and LCA/LCC estimation, creating digital representations to identify key elements, quantifying materials for LCA/LCC estimation and selective demolition, cost and time savings, and integration with secondary product markets.
   • High-level list of project deliverables: includes a conceptual BIM model for calculating energy consumption for heating/cooling of the building throughout its life cycle.
   • Project stakeholders and their roles: identifies the stakeholders involved in the design phase (client/owner/developer, general contractor, architectural design office, engineering design office with structural, MEP, and energy modeling & simulation teams, project consultants) and describes their roles.
   • Responsibility matrix of the delivery team: Specifies the responsibilities of the various teams (client, general contractor, architectural designer, engineering design office, project consultants, structural engineer, energy team, MEP team) for the different activities related to energy analysis and LCA/LCC.
   • Applied technologies: lists the software that will be used, including native formats and versions, also specifying software for energy modeling (EnergyPlus) and LCA/LCC documentation.
   • Information creation and collaboration process: describes the procedures for BIM modeling aimed at energy analysis, emphasizing the importance of the specifications for the level of informational need, interoperability guidelines, and naming conventions.
   • Coordination strategy and quality control procedures: defines the types of meetings, their frequency, participants, and venue for the phases of preparation, definition of conceptual requirements, coordination of concept design, delivery of the model for energy analysis, definition of energy performance objectives, planning of energy simulations, spatial coordination, technical reviews, progress reviews, interference detection, reviews with the client, and regulatory compliance meetings.

The RecycleBIM project represents a pioneering initiative in the development of BEP templates specifically designed for the application of BIM at the end of the life cycle of a built asset and for rapid energy analysis of new projects, ensuring a semi-automated integration of BIM models with energy simulation tools.

The detailed structure and in-depth contents of these BEP templates provide a solid foundation for the effective implementation of BIM in projects oriented towards circular economy and sustainability.

By clearly defining the informational requirements, the realization of BIM processes becomes simpler, allowing for continuous documentation, evaluation, and improvement of these processes.

The adoption of the BEP not only fills a gap in the use of BIM for demolition and deconstruction but also promotes a transition towards more environmentally responsible methodologies across the entire construction sector.

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