There are generally three management approaches for BIM teams: universal access mode, centralized management mode, and decentralized management mode. Besides these common models, many design firms also adopt outsourcing strategies for BIM services based on their specific needs.
1) Decentralized Management Mode
This approach suits design firms that develop their BIM expertise by recruiting and training personnel without forming dedicated BIM departments. Staff skilled in BIM technology are integrated within existing organizational units, performing typical design roles. They become involved specifically when projects require BIM applications.
2) Centralized Management Mode
In this model, organizations establish dedicated BIM departments or centers—such as “BIM centers” or “BIM workstations”—to recruit or train specialized BIM professionals. These teams focus primarily on BIM-related projects, developing expertise and enhancing the company’s BIM capabilities and reputation. Many companies adopt this structure, especially in the early stages of BIM adoption, piloting BIM centers before expanding the practice across the entire organization as the technology matures.
3) All-Staff Popularization Mode
This model envisions BIM integration across all disciplines, personnel, and workflows within a design firm, assuming that every design professional has mastered BIM technology. It represents an ideal state of BIM application and is considered the future direction for BIM in prefabricated building projects.
Currently, this level of BIM maturity is rare in China, but numerous design firms are exploring it through pilot projects. They tailor BIM implementation to their enterprise characteristics, gradually adopting comprehensive BIM application models that cover all disciplines, staff, and processes. In this mode, designers are proficient in BIM technologies, eliminating the need for separate BIM-specific roles as seen in the centralized management model.
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