The Data is the Deliverable

As we move into the Chinese Year of the Snake, pardon the pun but we feel it is time to confront a slippery issue: Getting to grips with the way design contract deliverables are changing in a digital data-driven process.

As is broadly well known, the traditional paper-based process employed by design consultants was based on the generation of drawings representing the proposed design through plans, sections, elevations, schematics, schedules, as well as specifications, along with 3D representation through axonometric or isometric views, etc.? Each drawing was independent of others in the set, leading to the onerous task of tracking changes and updating each representation of the design.?

One of the fundamental benefits of a BIM process is that we are working with databases, so drawing views can be called up as needed through queries of the data set. This means that if something is changed somewhere on a drawing set, it updates everywhere.

However, the real value lies in the data set itself, not the drawing views.? Currently, the bulk of contracts still focus on the drawing views not a robust future-proofed data set that can drive downstream goals and uses as well as support the facility throughout its life cycle.

In an ideal workflow, the construction team will utilize the design models as the foundation on which to build their fabrication models, retaining interconnectivity between the data sets, rather than starting again from scratch.

How do we, as an industry, support the teams as they move to a process where it is the model databases that constitute the contract output, not the drawing views?

There are a number of issues related to achieving the goal of moving beyond drawings, to being able to rely upon the data alone:

·?????? Data quality often inconsistent due to duplication by different consultants.

·?????? Schedules frequently not generated from the data set.

·?????? Focus of consultants still mainly on the drawing output.

·?????? Lack of understanding as to how the data will be used by others, leading to concerns around liability.

·?????? Lack of industry standards, as needed to build consistency.

·?????? Lack of understanding as to what robust, future-proof data means.

Together, these issues inhibit trust among downstream users with regard to what is being supplied to them, leading to contractors, sub-trades and, ultimately, facility operators often recreating information that has already been generated.

Conflicting with the concept of ‘One Version of the Truth’, recreation of data allows errors potentially to creep in, leading to downstream data issues. If we want to improve the efficiency of the AEC Industry and fully embrace the concept of a ‘digital twin’, we must, as an industry, move towards understanding and building data sets that can be reused rather than recreated.? Then, when we have established confidence that the data sets are robust and reliable, we will truly be in a position to move beyond paper, and ready to accept data as the ultimate deliverable.

As the AECOO Industry stands at the crossroads of tradition and digital innovation, it is clear that moving beyond drawings to data-centric deliverables is essential for progress.? Now is the time for designers, contractors, and operators alike to rethink deliverables, focusing on the strength of reusable, future proof data.? Let’s embrace this change with confidence, knowing that as we refine and trust our data, we are shaping a more efficient, collaborative, and sustainable built environment.