Survey4BIM – Geospatial AccuracyBig5 geospatial challenges to Geo-Enable successful BIM level 2

Survey4BIM has identified the 5 techincal geospatial related challenges to successful implementation of BIM Level 2. Each of these 5 challenges is reviewed in terms of stage of maturity, it’s place on the BIM Road Map and how the survey industry can help.

Overview of Geospatial Accuracy ChallengeAccuracy in a geo-spatial sense is very specific and very well defined. In a BIM context it is rarely if ever so well defined other than using the word “accurate data”. The impact of “inaccurate” data can have serious repercussions on project success for the client and all involved at any stage. The key issues are

Geo-spatial accuracy underpins the ability to define level of detail, generalisation, and preservation of designs through to construction and operation in the real world

To support BIM Level 2 the concept of accuracy for geo-spatial data needs to be explicit and defined in terms of defined measurement, grid, currency and confidence

Big5 Challenges – Accuracy – Sep 2015

Maturity Stages – current and required for BIM Level 2Based on our Survey4BIM group experience we believe the current maturity stage for well defined geo-spatial accuracy in UK Industry is stage 1 Maturity as per the diagram below.

Where is Geospatial Accuracy on the BIM roadmapBased on our Survey4BIM group experience we believe the required Accuracy maturity needs to be available for BIM Level 1. As the industry moved from plotted drawings in BIM level 0 with accuracy statements to objects and models a gap in accuracy definition has opened up.

Big5 Challenges – Accuracy – Sep 2015

March 2016

BacklogShould have been

available here

Stage 1Initial

Stage 2Managed

Stage 3Defined

Stage 4Quantitatively

Managed

Stage 5Optimising

Processes unpredictable,

Poorly controlled and reactive

Processes characterised for projects and is often reactive

Processes characterised for

the organisation and is proactive

Processes

measured and

controlled

Optimisation

Effort needed to support

BIM Level

How can Survey4BIM help ?

Headline Action Opportunity Accuracy Resource Support

Carry out a controlled test   InternalCarry out survey Yes InternalCollate existing forum/group activity Yes InternalCollate existing standards Yes InternalCreate Internal Workgroup Solution / Proposal

YesInternal

Join and Influence existing forum/ group Yes ExternalProduce case study   InternalProduce Guidance   InternalSet challenge for software house Yes ExternalDevelop a detailed Road Map    Internal

What are the first steps – Internal and External ?

We recommend the Survey4BIM Group should consider the following 2 priority actions as having the greatest impact in the immediate future

1. Establish internal group to define best standard for consistent accuracy unit

2. Work with OGC to establish common approach to accuracy meta-data and attribution

Big5 Challenges – Accuracy – Sep 2015

Appendix 1:

(How) How do we get there ?

BIM Level 2 as defined by NBS states

“Design information is shared through a common file format, which enables any organisation to be able to combine that data with their own in order to make a federated BIM model, and to carry out interrogative checks on it” .

These checks will include clash detection, areas, volumes, measurements, tolerances and design compliance. All of these aspects are affected by by definition of geo-spatial accuracy. We believe to get to the required level of accuracy maturity the following steps should be considered

1. Project stakeholders need to more informed on the definition of geo-spatial accuracy and the impact it has at all stages of the Asset and project lifecycle.

2. To support BIM Level 2 the definition of geo-spatial accuracy needs to be explicit in terms of defined measurement, grid, currency and confidence and is quantitatively managed

3. BIM standards, process and technology need to support communicating the definition of geo-spatial accuracy effectively to all participants

4. BIM data needs to include geo-spatial accuracy attributes which are transferrable through the all stages of the Digital Plan of Works

(Who) How can Survey4BIM help? What are our next steps ?We believe the members of the Survey4BIM group should consider actioning the following (in no particular order):

Research if any international group are tackling the geo-spatial accuracy definition question, suggested groups to consider / consult Open Geospatial Conference (OGC), Association of Geographic Information (AGI), World Bank, BuildingSmart, AIA ?

Research what geo-spatial software systems currently allow or support geo-spatial accuracy attribution (e. Oracle Spatial, ESRI, Map Info, AutoCAD , Bentley, …

Set up a working group to define the key attributes needed to determine geo-spatial accuracy and what coding or classification would work with geo-spatial data

Big5 Challenges – Accuracy – Sep 2015

Collate available accuracy standards in the UK and international and make a shortlist of approaches which could be useful (i.e. RICS, TSA PAS 128, ASPRS, USIBD LoA)

Get involved in national or international meta data standards groups to look at enhanced where attribution which could include geo-spatial accuracy definition

Conduct a survey of Professional organisations and / or BIM software vendors on how they currently support geo-spatial accuracy definition and what they believe is needed for BIM level 2

Appendix 2:Survey4BIM – Geo-Spatial Accuracy Premise – Why do this ?

The Survey4BIM Big 5 Issues are a set of subjects where the group believe there needs to be some technical focus on identifying issues and potential problems.

The result of this initiative will be that surveyors can contribute to the BIM process by proposing solutions and follow industry approved guidance for geospatial methods to add value to the BIM process.

This document discusses the current status of the issue. All references to Level are in relation to the Standard Maturity Model and the BIM maturity model

Why are we doing this? 1. Generate a joined up knowledge from across the Survey4BIM group.

2. Decide if the subject is something the group needs to get actively involved with and define existing Industry knowledge maturity as defined by the Standard Maturity Model

3. Become enablers of the solutions for the challenges identified.

4. Identify existing solutions for the subject and whether Survey4BIM need to keep a watching brief or adopt, create or align to new standards.

5. Highlight surveyors need for collaborating in the BIM process within other disciplines.

Who are we writing this for ? This is an internal document intended for the members of the Survey4BIM

technical and steering committees. It is written for them to consider issues as a call to action for it’s members or the wider survey community by broadening the base of the group

Big5 Challenges – Accuracy – Sep 2015

Big5 Challenges – Accuracy – Sep 2015