November 2013 - Issue 12  

 

When thinking of the changes that working with BIM is having on our industry I'm reminded of an old adage about buying a service. You can choose from cheap, fast or good but you can only have two of those three. The difference with BIM is that it can indeed ultimately deliver all three, but not perhaps in the way that many might expect when they begin their first BIM project.

 

I think there's a perception that, as it's a technology driven solution, BIM simply adds speed to the process and hence reduces costs. That's true in some ways, but the reality is that working with BIM shifts the balance of effort between architects, quantity surveyors and contractors.

 

For a BIM project to deliver its true potential it's essential to lay the right foundations at the start. That means that the architect needs to spend more time producing a 3D model that contains all the detail and information necessary to create accurate bills of quantity. And the quantity surveyor needs to examine and test that model in more detail within the BIM software to establish the right formulae and links to support automated calculations later in the project lifecycle. This is a more onerous undertaking than is normally the case as most models usually provide a visual representation for the client rather than a full realisation of the structure.

 

Of course more time spent here means more money. But that investment reaps rewards further down the line as, with a fully defined model in the BIM system, it becomes much easier to explore the impact of any changes and manage the delivery of materials to site in line with the construction schedule. There will also be fewer unexpected issues during construction as the model will contain (almost) all the necessary detail without the need for interpretation and guesswork, which is when many problems are introduced.

 

Hence overall project costs can be lower and the job can be completed faster, but the client needs to understand that the initial cost and time to create the model may be greater than via traditional methods. So, to go back to that old adage, you can have faster, higher quality results with less wasted money, IF you're prepared to invest at the beginning of the project. But cut corners and you'll start to eat at way at those benefits and won't be able to appreciate the power of a full BIM implementation.

 

That's a message we believe is at the heart of promoting the full benefits of BIM today.

 

We've almost come to the end of our first series of BIM videos, showing the power and flexibility of BIM software in use. This issue we've include an excerpt showing how to create billing items. If you've missed earlier versions or want to see them again you can find all the previous videos on our website or YouTube channel. Click here to view videos 

 

Steven Gosling - Managing Director  

 

For more information about BIM please contact Bernadette Lord, our BIM Specialist on 01635 277670 or via email at BIM@dsgquantitysurveyors.co.uk
Our website has a lot of useful information on our BIM solution. Please click here to view. www.dsgquantitysurveyors.co.uk

At the moment BIM expertise is in short supply throughout the industry, so the recent announcement by RICS that it is to launch a BIM Manager accreditation scheme is very welcome. The idea is to establish a standard level of expertise that will help employers in their search to establish or grow a BIM practice.

 

RICS has been developing the new standard for the past year and the first industry professionals could receive certification in January 2014. The organisation also intends to launch additional qualifications in BIM for facilities managers and geomatics professionals in the future.

 

The accreditation is available to any quantity surveyor, project manager or construction professional with a minimum of five years' industry experience, including involvement in a BIM project. To achieve accreditation they will need to compose a 2,000 word essay or case study detailing their involvement, capability, knowledge and understanding of the subject, as well as a critical reflection of the project. In addition they must demonstrate their BIM skills across three core competencies: BIM initiation; processes and collaboration; and integration - with two optional competencies covering commercial and technical abilities.

 

John Eynon of the CIOB's BIM Group welcomed the move, "People need some sort of badge or accreditation and clients need to have confidence in their ability, so there has got to be some sort of accreditation available. It's a step in the right direction, but we need to see a pan-industry approach, with external accreditation by an industry grouping, such as the CIC."

 

This last point is key. BIM skills need to be recognised across the industry and to achieve that we really do need a joined up approach to ensure that there is confidence in the value of every accreditation. This will take time but RICS is to be applauded in taking the first step to making BIM not just an additional skill, but an essential skill for anyone wishing to pursue a career in the industry. 

Visit Our Website for more information 

...or at least just 48 hours to develop an outline proposal for a new International Convention Centre covering 19,000 square metres. That was the challenge facing our team at the open BIM Build Sydney Live 2013 competition this month, where we joined forces, under the team name CUSP, with Stride Tredglown and PDSI to showcase the benefits of collaborative technology. In just two days we needed to create a multi-purpose facility that could accommodate up to 12,000 people, covering indoor and outdoor zones and taking into account existing road infrastructure and underground car parking. The solution also had to include electrical, HVAC, fire safety, plumbing, telecoms, Cat 5 and other utilities and meet the Green Star Level 6 sustainable building requirements. It was a tough project but our team was one of only two that completed all the tasks in the allocated time, showing just what can be achieved with the right combination of people and technology. We can only hope our clients give us a little more time for their projects!

The CUSP Teams design for Build Sydney Live 2013

  To view the Build Sydney Live website click here

 

Code named Genie, it is a cloud-based platform with online design and analytical tools that will allow designers and construction professionals to collaborate in real time. The news emerged via an internal report submitted to Google's founders Sergei Brin and Larry Page, showing how highly the company views the development. Details are vague but the report suggest that it could deliver significant revenues and help cut construction costs by 30-50% whilst shortening design time by 30-60%.

 

Google's development team is rumoured to have met leading US contractors, engineers, architects and major developers. It is also believed that the UK government's BIM Task Group has also been given a preview of the technology.

 

Of course these claims should be taken with a pinch of salt, but it's encouraging to see how BIM is catching the attention of the major players in software and service provision. This can only be good for the development of more effective, integrated and dare we hope cheaper solutions in the future.

DSG Quantity Surveyors provides support for clients across the UK from its head office in Newbury and regional offices in Coventry and Manchester. Founded as a traditional quantity surveying practice, we offer the full range of services based around traditional values and high levels of customer service. We were also one of the first practices to fully embrace BIM and now offer a 5D BIM solution, with skilled personnel that have a strong grasp of the technology as well as an understanding of the different approach that is needed to ensure the most effective application of BIM throughout the project.

Through investment in people, process and technology our mission is to provide the most effective, high quality service to every client. Whether it's a traditionally-based individual development or a complex, multi-million pound Government procurement contract delivered by a consortium of providers, we will apply the same rigorous approach from start to finish.

• Trust: our people have the skills and technology to handle any project.
• Value: we focus on continuous improvement to save you time and   money.
• Certainty: we have the national resources to ensure that we always deliver.

For the architect we ensure that the design process becomes more efficient, with greater control and tracking of modifications, whilst the client has a more accurate and clear view of the final building.
For the contractor we make sure that bills of quantity become more detailed and accurate, reducing waste and enabling more efficient, timely site management.
For the stakeholder we make it easier to assess the impact of changes before committing to them and there is greater confidence that the project will be delivered to specification, on time and within budget.

Our focus is always on seeking new ways to deliver greater value and this approach provides the best result at every stage of the construction lifecycle.

Thanks you for taking the time to read our latest BIM Update. I hope you have found it useful and interesting. Please email us should you require any specific help with a BIM project or more detail on any item in this issue.

Steven Gosling

DSG Quantity Surveyors 

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By 2016, all centrally procured government construction projects, no matter their size, must be delivered using Building Information Modelling, or BIM. This will extend right through the supply chain, from the largest contractor to the smallest supplier, and it is hoped, will lead to the industry-wide adoption of BIM as the benefits become more widely understood. Across the industry, organisations must get up to speed over the next three years - or risk missing out on valuable opportunities.
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