What’s a BIM VDC Manager?

What is a BIM VDC manager and what does he deal with? Which BIM Management systems do you use for your work?

In this article we’ll be taking a closer look at roles and responsibilities of one of the main figures deeply involved in the VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) process and BIM (Building Information Modeling) oriented workflows.

What does a VDC manager do

What is a VDC manager?

To manage all aspects and technologies of a BIM VDC process, an organisational structure in which roles and responsibilities are assigned to each professional is essential.

This kind of process also includes new professionals with specific technological knowledge and team coordination skills.

The VDC manager is a key role within the BIM process who manages and coordinates all professionals and supervises all VDC activities.

Allow me to highlight that VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) refers to a project management methodology, fundamentally based on a combination of new technologies (BIM), multidisciplinary project models, adequate work schemes and planning aspects combined with collaborative processes within the project operations team.

To get a full idea of all the actors involved in a BIM/VDC process, here’s a short list:

• BIM/VDC Manager (Virtual Design Construction)
• BIM Manager
• BIM Coordinator
• BIM Specialist
• CDE Manager
• BIM Lead
• Project Manager
• Design Team Leader
• Modeler II
• Modeler I.

What does a VDC manager do?

In summary, the VDC manager manages all aspects and figures involved in the VDC processes and guides the implementation and use of digital technology and tools for construction.

The main tasks and responsibilities of this role are:

• define the contractual aspects;
• lead the management of the BIM project and the VDC coordination;
• support work teams to ensure optimal delivery of digital projects using BIM technologies;
• ensure collaborative work within the team;
• define work strategies;
• implement and exploit digital technologies and other cutting-edge methodologies to ensure progress and continuous innovation in the delivery of digital projects;
• schedule coordination meetings between the Project Executive and the Project Manager when assigning any project to complete the project start-up checklist for BIM requirements;
• assist the project team in the selection of subcontractors in relation to BIM requirements;
• plan and lead project kick-off meetings with subcontractors and design support teams to implement the BIM execution plan (BEP);
• ensure that projects have properly defined BIM requirements;
• manage and coordinate BIM models;
• generate a coordination program based on digital models for an optimized collaboration between design teams, contractors, subcontractors and business partners;

What qualifications does a VDC manager need?

A VDC BIM manager qualifies with these main requirements:

• experience in planning and coordinating projects;
• strong organisational skills;
• ability to manage different projects;
• verbal and graphic communication skills;
• basic knowledge of BIM management software;
• ability to work independently;
• understanding of project documents;
• technical design knowledge;
• high marketing and communication skills;
• leadership and coaching to support junior BIM/VDC technicians and engineers.

In practice, the VDC BIM Manager manages all the orders and interfaces with the other management figures (BIM Manager, BIM Coordinator, etc.) to supervise and coordinate their work.

The tools of a VDC MANAGER

The VDC manager must have the preparation and tools that guarantee him or her to make decisions independently but it is not necessary that he/she knows how to use all the software and tools of BIM Authoring in a practical way.

On the contrary, it must have a high operational knowledge of management and coordination software to synchronize the entire work team in real time and to assign, authorize, record and control the activities of all group members.

The main tools of his work are:

• the BIM collaboration platform to make data organization and business process activities efficient and to create a Data Sharing Environment (CDE) in the cloud that allows professionals, companies, suppliers, maintainers and clients to work together;
• BIM Management systems to manage the digitization of constructions and infrastructures in a collaborative manner, view and manage IFC files, etc.

FAQ on VDC BIM manager

What is a VDC BIM manager?

A VDC BIM manager is a professional responsible for overseeing and coordinating digital technologies and workflows within construction projects. This role ensures that BIM (Building Information Modeling) processes are correctly integrated into the VDC (Virtual Design and Construction) framework, managing various teams and ensuring collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.

What are the main responsibilities of a VDC BIM manager?

The main responsibilities of a VDC BIM manager are:

• define contractual aspects;
• manage the BIM project;
• ensure optimal delivery using BIM technologies;
• plan coordination meetings;
• manage BIM execution plans (BEP);
• ensure seamless collaboration between design teams, contractors, and subcontractors.

What are the key skills for a VDC BIM manager?

The main skills for a VDC BIM manager are:

• In-depth knowledge of BIM and VDC: ability to manage information models, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and implement digital processes.
• Technical skills: mastery of BIM software, understanding of digital workflows, and ability to analyze project data.
• Leadership and communication skills: ability to coordinate teams, facilitate collaboration among stakeholders, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Project management: experience in planning, monitoring, and controlling design and construction phases.
• Continuous learning: willingness to learn and adopt new technologies and methodologies in the digital construction sector.

How to become a VDC BIM manager?

To become a VDC BIM manager, it is necessary to have:

• Technical education: A degree in engineering, architecture, or construction-related fields is the first step. It provides the foundation for understanding design and construction processes.
• Field experience: Before coordinating, one must know the construction site. It is essential to have experience in design, BIM modeling, or technical project management.
• BIM and VDC skills: The BIM VDC Manager does not necessarily need to model but must be very familiar with the main software and digital processes. CDE platforms and IFC workflows are essential tools.
• Certifications: BIM certifications and specific courses on VDC enhance credibility and operational skills.

What software and tools does a VDC BIM manager use?

The VDC BIM Manager uses digital tools to coordinate models, data, and project teams. Some essential tools for a VDC BIM manager are:

• Collaborative BIM platforms for centralized information management.
• Data sharing environments (CDE) to organize and track documents and models.
• Model verification and coordination tools for interdisciplinary checks and clash detection.
• 4D/5D planning systems to integrate time and costs into the digital model.
• Monitoring dashboards for progress analysis and decision support.

What is the difference between a BIM manager and a VDC BIM manager?

While both roles are essential for the correct implementation of BIM in a project, the BIM manager focuses more on the technical aspects of BIM, including the creation and management of models. The VDC BIM manager, on the other hand, has a broader scope, overseeing the entire VDC process, managing team coordination, and ensuring the use of digital tools for project optimization and delivery.

Can a VDC BIM manager manage multiple projects simultaneously?

Yes, a VDC BIM Manager can simultaneously manage multiple projects, coordinating different teams and ensuring the effective integration of BIM tools in each contract. To do this successfully, it is essential to have solid organizational skills, accurate planning, and support from advanced digital tools.