Posted December 28th, 2011
Do you think BIM isn't really that important to your business model as an A/E/C firm? You've heard the industry buzz about it but figure it's years away from being a reality? Guess again, it's here and if you're not preparing for it now by realigning your workflow and best practices you will be that much farther behind the curve once we emerge from this poor economy.
Technology has not stopped making advancements during the economic downturn. What this means for the A/E/C industry is that we are seeing more competition from design professionals outside our local regions. BIM is a reality now that is helping SKW to position ourselves to attract and win more projects.
I was answering questions last week on RevitForum.org in regards to COBie and how to implement a strategy to prepare Revit models for that level of information. A majority of the questions were coming from a gentleman from Dallas, Texas. I gave him the names of a few people I know of in the Dallas area that are deeply entrenched in BIM and Revit. I hinted that beers after work or free lunch would lure a certain BIM manager in that area to reveal more answers. I also mentioned a local firm I knew and working with the Department of Veterans Affairs. This individual from Dallas was shocked that I knew so much about what was happening with BIM in his area. In fact, he was asking questions because his firm was taking over a Revit model developed by that same firm I suggested on a project for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
If you've never seen it, take a look at what the Department of Veterans Affairs is requiring for BIM in their document, The VA BIM Guide. Also go see, http://www.wbdg.org/resources/cobie.php for insight into what COBie is and how Facilities Managers want to leverage BIM data.
