Blog categorized as practicalbim

Different BIMs for different Purposes

31.07.19 03:54 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

How does BIM work, like really work, in the real world?

There are a proliferation of diagrams with arrows and graphics invariably arranged in a circle,

or as a seamless flow.

But none of these are explanations of how BIM actually works, they are blueprints of how the authors think BIM s...

IP - it is not all yours, get used to it

30.07.19 03:59 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

When discussing BIM with those yet to take it up the topic of Intellectual Property invariably comes up. It is so important to them it comes across as a major reason they are not using BIM (although I suspect it is more of an excuse).

For some reason BIM authors (architects, engineers, etc) think tha...

NBS BIM Object Standard - Where is the Impact Statement?

29.07.19 03:50 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

When the NBS BIM Object Standard first came out I eagerly grabbed it to see if it contained any useful insights, anything that might help me structure the way I do my work.
Sadly I was disappointed. Not only did I found nothing I could immediately apply, I barely understood it.
But for me it didn't ma...

Procuring BIM - PAS 1192-2 and acif PTI

28.07.19 03:34 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

I feel sorry for owners and managers who need to make decisions about BIM on a project.

The information available is vague; it is hard to extract practical advice that can be acted upon. And confusing, mixing up BIM issues with management practices that have nothing to do with BIM.

PAS 1192-2 ...

Everyday BIM

27.07.19 03:29 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

This month 7 years ago, August 2012, I started the practicalBIM blog.

My original intention was to blog about practical ways to make BIM work. But when I started reviewing the literature on BIM I became alarmed at the misunderstandings and direction BIM was heading. It soon became apparent that ...

Should Owners ask for BIM?

26.07.19 02:57 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

There is this idea in the BIM evangelist community that owners, the ones who commission a facility, should specify what BIM is to be used on a project. Not just what BIM will be delivered to them, but how BIM will be used by everyone involved in the project.

To me it makes no sense. Do you tell your ...

How to define BIM Use

25.07.19 02:50 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

For those that don't know, a BIM Use is a task, outcome or deliverable that a BIM model is used for. For example when a BIM model is used for structural analysis, or to create a door schedule, or provide data for an FM system.

When talking about BIM Use we mean "Building Information Mo...

How Usable are BIM Standards?

24.07.19 02:29 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

This month the UK Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) published an article in their BIM+blog.

Titled LEVEL 2 STANDARDS: CREATING CONSISTENCY OR CAUSING COMPLEXITY?

it is a series of interviews with people involved in having to use BIM.

It is a timely and interesting article, and as ...

What makes a good Office BIM Manager?

23.07.19 02:12 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

Many professional design firms and construction sub-contractors are being forced to become BIM authors, with the expectation they can manage and provide BIM deliverables.

They have to use BIM software, which is only efficient if it is genuinely managed. If used properly many things can be done quicke...

Making BIM Work: Quality Models

22.07.19 02:08 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

BIM processes only work if there is something those processes can act upon.

No BIM models, no process.

And quality matters: without good quality models no matter how good BIM processes or standards are it will be extremely difficult for anyone to do anything useful.

Pretty basic stuff, but all too ofte...

Where is BIM in Education

21.07.19 01:57 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

Recently I went on-line and had a look at the subject offerings of the four university level design schools in my home town. I wanted to see what they were offering in terms of BIM education, and by extension what could I expect from new graduates.

I could not find any mention of BIM at all - n...

The Axioms of BIM

20.07.19 01:50 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

BIM can seem complicated at times, but is it really?

Certainly BIM processes and procedures can end up being complicated, just try and and understand some of the standards that are being pushed.

If only there was a way to cut through the guff, to have a simple set of principles that could be applied i...

COBie is not what you think it is

25.05.19 02:37 PM By Ebrahim - Comment(s)

When BIM is talked about mention of COBie is never far away. What I don't understand is why COBie has reached such a privileged position. Sure it is (pretty much) mature, sure it has been used in the real world (although far from ubiquitous). But it is only a small part of BIM, a small part of the w...

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