BIM and VDC Productivity: Looking Back and Moving Forward

Sometimes, we must sit back to reflect on our processes, refine workflows, and educate ourselves. In this article, I want to take a closer look at the introduction of BIM to the AEC sector, particularly over the past 20 years.

A Quick History of BIM

The first commercially available 3D drafting and machining system, Automated Drafting and Machining (ADAM), appeared in the early 1970s. However, BIM became mainstream for architects in the mid-1980s with the introduction of ArchiCAD on the Macintosh platform. Fast forward to 2002, when Autodesk acquired Revit and leveraged its AutoCAD customer base to develop and distribute Revit more broadly.

BIM Promises vs. Reality

The Promises

1. Seamless Production: A single source of truth (the model) for contract documents – yet these are still predominantly in 2D.
2. Live Coordination: Facilitating federated models to improve collaboration among design consultants.
3. Accurate Data: Providing reliable cost estimates and quantity takeoffs.
4. Visualization: To me, BIM is a form of data visualization that enhances project understanding.
5. Operation & Maintenance: to use the "As Built" federated model as a Digital Twin to manage the life cycle of the building during occupancy

The Reality

• Siloed Workflows: Design consultants prefer working in isolation and avoid the headache of integration and live collaboration.
• Contract Documents Still in 2D: This raises the ongoing question – why are we doing this?
• Cost Shifts: Stakeholders push onboarding and software costs onto owners.
• Late Governance: The AEC governing bodies have been late in creating best practices and guidelines.
• Conservative Industry Views: Insurers and legal entities are highly cautious, which slows adoption.

The Evolution of BIM Implementation

BIM adoption has gone through several stages:

1. Hollywood BIM

Companies used BIM primarily for marketing, showcasing flashy renderings and building sections to demonstrate they had the technology—without actually harnessing its potential. Clients even started asking for discounts on construction contracts based on perceived savings by implementing BIM promised by software brochures.

2. Lonely BIM

Some proactive companies began implementing BIM internally, mainly construction firms developing in-house expertise. They created discipline-specific models based on 2D documents provided by design consultants.

3. Crippled BIM

A few design consultants started using BIM platforms but were hesitant to share models with the project team. Without a BIM Execution Plan (BEP), these efforts often hindered rather than improved project coordination.

4. Almost BIM

General Contractors (GCs) began leading BIM initiatives, particularly in Design-Build contracts. With defined BIM goals and uses, they enforced QA/QC in modeling and demonstrated tangible benefits to owners and stakeholders.

5. BIM Enabled

Clients started mandating BIM Execution Plans from day one and included them in consultant contracts. This ensured that the scope was clearly defined and expectations were communicated from the beginning. A well-structured model with known Level of Development (LOD) helped construction teams access the right information efficiently.

Lessons Learned and What’s Next

We live in a noisy environment filled with new tools and platforms promising cost and time savings, especially with AI in the scene. Evaluating where your organization stands in the digital journey requires careful consideration of the following:

1. What tools do you already have? Are you using them to their fullest potential?
2. Business Analysis: Conduct a gap analysis to determine what you actually need and what is missing.
3. Quality Matters: Tech-savvy team members without practical construction experience may create models fast but not construction-compatible, adding pressure on middle management for QA/QC. Proper BIM Modeling is not a junior position!
4. Onboarding Matters: Avoid multiple approaches within your organization by establishing clear guidelines for new team members and performing QA/QC.
5. Implementation Plans: Digital tools evolve fast; agility is crucial. The days of mastering a tool and using it for decades are over. You must plan.
6. Be Open to Change: Stay adaptable and embrace new technologies with an open mind.

Final Thoughts

BIM has come a long way, but the journey isn’t over. Organizations need to take a step back, assess their digital strategies, and make informed decisions that align with their long-term goals. The transition to fully integrated BIM requires collaboration, clear contractual definitions, and a willingness to embrace continuous change.

Before purchasing new technology, see if you are using what you have to its fullest potential!