Chapter 4 of the BIM Handbook discusses the benefits of using BIM processes and tools for Owners and Facility Managers. BIM is helpful for these parties because it reduces errors and field changes, which in turn reduces project time and cost. BIM based energy and lighting design can help improve building efficiency and save money for the Owners on a monthly basis. BIM programs also help make cost estimation more accurate so that the financial risk was reduced and the Owners know what to budget for more precisely. By prefabricating the design using BIM technology, labor time is reduced and the project schedule can be shortened, which saves money.
Owners should care about BIM digital modeling and lean processes because they help achieve optimum production efficiency. By being able to collaborate all MEP drawings, clashes and collisions can be found ahead of time rather than in the field. This will reduce the amount of field changes and man hours used on trying to correct the given drawings. This also prevents conflict between subcontractors in the field because there will be less to disagree on from errors in the drawings. According to the BIM handbook, "With BIM based processes, the owner can potentially realize a greater return on his or her investment as a result of the improved integrated design process, which increases the value of project information in each phase and allows greater efficiency for the project team" (BIM Handbook).
Reducing project time also increases the amount of profit that the new building can make through it's functions once opened. Earlier start date means earlier chance to gain profits for the Owner. BIM programs can also do analyses at a rapid rate, such as spatial relativity in a space, which can save a lot of time for engineers. By using new BIM programs, time can be saved in the office and in turn will save time in the field. This can also be applied when comparing different options to present to Owners.
Cited Sources:
(1) http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzM2NDIzOV9fQU41?sid=2f4dbaa1-3626-4311-bebe-df25b60cff92@sessionmgr104&vid=0&format=EB&rid=1
Responses:
1) Jackie- I agree that the collaboration aspect is beneficial to be able to communicate plans to every person involved in the project- from subcontractors to clients. I also agree that in order to have the maximum efficiency, each department would have to make no mistakes and be on time for one another which rarely happens. I think the use of BIM is helpful but human error is inevitable in most situations at one point or another.
2) Sam- I think it's a huge benefit that cost estimation tends to be more accurate using BIM programming. Most of my experience in the field has had errors made in budgeting and it often causes bad relations with owners if you're inaccurate.
I agree that building owners should definitely use BIM for their buildings. All of the benefits you described about building owners using BIM would be so useful. I feel that buildings need to be more efficient across the board and if the owners used BIM as you described it would do wonders for starting that push.
ReplyDeleteYour point about the necessity of using BIM for the owners and facility managers is very interesting. I agree that BIM should be applied a wholelife of a building to achieve the maximum cost and time-saving. With the help of BIM, the owners and facility managers can rapidly react to feild situations or make smarter choices without facing problems in the field. And BIM also helps the owners forecast their profits and decrease the finacial risk.
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