Submitted by Angela Walters on Fri, 01/02/2019 - 12:51
In this month’s blog we hear from Fiona Moore, CDBB’s BIM Programme Manager, who discusses her thoughts on the importance of BIM in construction and how a change management approach can be key in making progress and releasing the benefits of BIM. Fiona also reports on progress to date of the CDBB and Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) programme of ‘roundtable’ discussions, with the aim of gaining improved understanding of progress to date towards achieving BIM Level 2 as business as usual and what still remains to be achieved.
During my career as an Architectural Technologist my love of the construction industry has remained undiminished, despite continuously experiencing the same setbacks and inefficiencies on every project – all of which could be attributed to poor information management. Once I started to learn about BIM, a decade ago now, I realised its adoption would offer transformational benefits to the construction industry. BIM delivers information management efficiencies, including de-risking, decreased costs, improved time and quality, and it’s these significant benefits that I realised would improve my work life immeasurably. In my opinion a Change Management approach that considers the ‘what’s in it for me’ element of changing people’s behaviour and working practice, helps people to engage effectively and deliver real change.
It’s one thing to hypothesise, state the possible benefits case for BIM and encourage people to endorse its adoption, but more importantly there’s also a need to prove these benefits. As part of CDBB’s BIM programme we are considering ways in which we can build upon the Benefits Measurement Methodology1, which first published nearly a year ago, along with sharing interesting case studies and BIM Maturity Assessment Tools, and we look forward to being able to say more about this in coming months.
Meanwhile, since the autumn, the CDBB BIM team have been busy running a series of industry roundtables which have to date included academia, constructors, consultants and manufactures. I personally have been very impressed and encouraged by the significant amount of energy and enthusiasm show by those who have given up their time to be part of these events, along with the hard-earned practical knowledge they are prepared to share with their peers.
A few of the repeated themes I’ve picked up from the roundtables so far have included the need to better understand BIM as a whole life information management process and how this provides a ‘golden thread’ of information, the need for all parties to collaborate effectively including the client, that this collaboration is supported by clearly defined information requirements and finally just how enthusiastic and committed people still are when it comes to delivering demonstrable improvement through the adoption of BIM. The remaining five roundtables include SMEs, technology providers, asset management, BIM consultants and clients, and I’m really looking forward to meeting people and discovering more at these events.2
The benefits offered by BIM and the foundation it provides to a digital built Britain underline the importance of continuing to support its adoption as business as usual and as a member of the CDBB BIM team I look forward to continuing to engaging with many of you over the coming year.
1 The Benefits Measurement Methodology can be found on the CDBB website,
2 A narrative of the roundtables is being published on the CDBB website and in CIOB publications Construction Manager and BIM Plus.