Getting Started with BIM(Building Information Modeling)

Curt EgliSynergis Building Solutions Engineer

This session will walk you through issues you should consider when strategizing, planning and executing on your transition to BIM to ensure your success.

Session Summary

Agenda

Framework for Substantive Change

Forms of Solutions: Pro-actions/ Reactions Tools

Hardware

Software

Processes People

Challenges/Opportunities

Crucial Questions

What factors into a workable size BIM project? Number of team members Size of file Square footage Complexity

What do “big” BIM projects all have in common? Perception Unpredictability Need for collaboration

Why do “big” BIM projects warrant concern? Drain resources of time & money Lessen ability/likelihood to/of

succeed/success Force stressful tipping points

What is within your control? Capability of teams Understanding of methods to

achieve success Familiarity with solutions

BIM Implementation Framework | Forms

Processes

Tools

People

Applications, data files, parameters, templates, folders, workstations, servers (real and virtual), networks connections

Standards, protocols, workflows, project reviews, file audits, content creation, content modification, content approval

Modelers, designers, project managers, BIM champions, BIM managers, content creators, data managers

Forms of Solutions: Pro-actions/Reactions

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Forms of Solutions | Overview

Tools Hardware

End Users

Networks

Software End Users

BIM Managers

Additional Tools

Processes BIM Project

Execution Planning Collaboration Standardization

People Roles

/Responsibilities Training

Tools | Lets Talk Tech

Hardware Workstations

What hardware do we need to efficiently execute this project?

Does everyone need the same hardware or the same performance?

How to make the business case for procurement?

Networking Where are my teams located and how do connect them? How do we maximize bandwidth, but minimize costs? Where does virtualization fit in?

Tools | Hardware Requirements

People cost more than workstations

http://usa.autodesk.com/revit/system-requirements/

Tools | Processor

Speed Cores – Revit is multi-threaded• Vector printing

• 2D Vector Export such as DWG and DWF

• Rendering (4 Core Limitation lifted in Revit 2011)

• Wall Joins representation in plans and sections

• Element Loading. Loading elements into memory is multi-threaded, reducing view open times when elements are displayed for the first time in the session.

• Parallel computation of silhouette edges (outlines of a curved surfaces) in perspective 3D views. Engaged when opening views, changing view properties, and navigating the view and will be more noticeable as the number and complexity of curved surfaces increases.

• Translation of high level graphical representation of model elements and annotations into display lists optimized for given video card. Engaged when opening views, changing view properties and will be more noticeable as the number and complexity of model elements increases.

• File Loading• Point Cloud Data Overlay

Tools | Hard drive

SSD (solid state drive) = Speed

Impacts not just Revit ….

Tools | Memory

~20X file size when expanded in Memory

32 GB RAM recommended for management of large models.

Do More…

not really faster (that’s the processor)

Tools | Graphics Card

DirectX 10 capable GPU with Shader Model 3

(but make sure your card choice is on the Autodesk (Revit) tested cards list)

Tools | What's the worst that can happen?

Poor performance, slow response times

Inability to do common tasks Printing Exporting Navigation of the Revit Model

Worst Case Scenario – Complete halt to the Revit Project, abandonment

Stress, Stress, Stress, and worse – project death

Tools | Servers

File servers• Windows based

• HD speed

• Avoid DFS (Distributed File Systems) but it can work…

License Servers• Bandwidth

• Whatever is supported

• Don’t do Redundant configurations

Tools | Network Infrastructure

Networking can be the weak link to the best organizations.

Performance, performance, performance How do you speed it up?

Increase bandwidth – Manage usage (People) Re-organize configuration Reduce data through-put

The better the bandwidth, the better for Revit.

Network latency should not exceed 100ms

Tools | Revit – End Users

New Local File Daily

Communicate and coordinate Syncs with Peers Worksharing Monitor / Bluestreak

Follow Workset creation guidelines and usage

Use “Specify Open”

Working views Views are “Cheap”

Ensure local backups

Take care with UserName and ensure consistent file pathing

With large projects, the BIM Manager plays a important role in the Health of the project

Their decisions will often make or break the project work

Good BIM Managers are engaged with People, Process, and Technology.

Tools | BIM Managers

Tools | Deployment Prep

Do you need to create deployments for different groups of users based on discipline, software features, and settings?

What Revit out of the box content do you need?

How can / do you want to manage content?

How will you manage add-ins?

Where will user projects and files reside?

Which user settings do you want to specify?

Revit Server?

Do you need to create 32 bit and/or 64 bit deployments?

For network licensing, what is your license server model?

How do you want to distribute/access your licenses across your enterprise?

Tools | Revit - Template

Pre-configuration requirements

Project Browser Object Styles, Line Styles,

Line Weights Shared Parameters Families Materials Annotative Objects

Tools | Revit - Template

Pre-configured Project Browser

Base it on team composition Can be used to organize

tasks Filtered to show qualities

Ownership Completeness Inclusion/exclusion in submittals

Can be grouped for easy access

Tools | Revit - Template

Pre-configured Object Styles, Line Styles, Line Weights

Tools | Revit - Template

Pre-loaded Families, with required parameters Doesn’t hurt to load what you need – size of the

template shouldn’t be deterrent if known size of project

Tools | Revit - Template

Pre-configured Schedules and parameters

Tools | Revit - Template

Consider….

If you don’t put it in – ask, how will my people find what they need?

Plan to adjust over time Change Management handing

Consider starting size vs. ease of use vs. expected project end size

Tools | Revit - Worksharing

New Local File daily Consistent network locations \ mapped drives Consistent workset naming Each user has unique username Set synchronization intervals for project teams –

must manage the people!

Worksharing Best Practices

Tools | Revit - Worksharing

Effective Workset Strategy Selective Open Workset Naming Consistent Application

Workset Organization

Tools | Revit – Shared Coordinates

Pre-defined organization and methodology clearly documented and communicated

Project Internal vs. Shared Coordinate systems

Consistent set-up and management

Set it in beginning ANDdon’t change it without planning!

The coordinate system causes many more issues than it should on projects.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

Purge Unused

Audit

Save As (with new name) – New Locals for All – wipe the old away.

Monitor Project Size and Family Sizes Reduce Family Complexity Clean up imported content “Health Checks” at key intervals – consider project

phases as key milestones for checking the model.

Tools | Revit - Maintaining the Project

Tools | Revit Server

Clear division of work for multiple teams accessing same data Firewall restrictions considered Different locations working on

different data removes the need Distance is an issue BIM managers have time and

expertise to help manage it

When should Revit Server be a part of helping manage a larger BIM project?

Tools | Other Tools/Functionality

Navisworks, 360° Glue – These aggregators help teams coordinate through mitigating clashes and issues

Chat programs (Bluestreak, etc.) – Help quick communication through awareness of work stream –communication is key!

API (Application Program Interface) Third-party BIM and Data standards such as COBie

and IFC – to improve collaboration Revit 2014 Interop with CAD geometry - Solids

explode to real components, expanding Interop with other tools

What are other solutions needed for large BIM projects?

Forms of Solutions | Processes

BIM Project Execution Planning – How is BIM to be deployed on this project?

Collaboration Workflows– How and When do we share data effectively?

Standardization – How does everyone know the proper format of the deliverables?

We have good tools, but are we using them right? Process is the means by which we deploy tools and invariably is more important to the success to large projects than any application.

Processes | Project Execution Plans

Project Information BIM Uses Process Design Information Exchanges Data Requirements Collaboration Procedures Model Structure

The BIM Project Execution Plan defines uses for BIM on the project (e.g. design authoring, cost estimating, and design coordination), along with a detailed design of the process for executing BIM throughout the project lifecycle.

Image courtesy of DAR/P+W

Autodesk BIM Deployment Plan (Enterprise and Project)• Establish organizational and project

team business practice standards• Bind all parties early in project and

define roles and responsibilities• Define model types and

requirements• Set parameters for visualization,

simulation and analysis• Standardize communication and

collaboration practices• Level of Development is key

Processes | Project Execution Plans (continued)

AGC – Consensus Docs / BIM Addendum / Execution Plan

AIA – IPD Guide / E202

CIC – BIM Project Execution Planning Guide

NIST – General Buildings Handover Guide

FIATECH – Fully integrated and automated project processes

CURT – Collaboration, Integrated Information and the Project Lifecycle

GSA – BIM Standard

NIBS – National BIM Standard

3xPT Strategy Group – CURT, AGC and AIA collaboration

AIST – CIMsteel Integration Standard

Some Examples: http://bit.ly/YKomzr

Processes | Project Execution Plans (continued)

Processes | Collaborative Workflows

Model Creation Design Workflows

Pre-Design Schematic Design Design Development

DIGITAL PROJECT

AutoCAD Revit

Construction Documents

Processes | Collaborative Workflows

Documentation via the federated model

Processes | Standards

Project Standards make everything easier…if they are followed

Forms of Solutions | People

Culture Organization Training

Assessments Skills Matrix

Skill Foci Applications Standards Workflows Maintenance

.

People are more important to a large BIM project than any tool or process

People | Who’s on our team?

Recruiting Team effectiveness Coaching Motivation Delegation

When a team is performing at its best, we'll find that each member has clear responsibilities and every role needed to achieve the team's goals is being performed well.

People | Roles

Typical BIM Roles Design Manager

Model Manager or Revit

Champion

Content Creation Specialist

Discipline BIM Coordinators

Data Coordinators

Project Specific Role

.

Organization is a crucial part of any well-oiled machine. Without it, how are responsibilities known?

Thank you!

Whew! Don’t forget Synergis is here to help you make this transition!