In China, there are three primary ways to obtain BIM models: first, models developed by internal company employees; second, external procurement, commonly called BIM outsourcing services; and third, specialized BIM work teams. This article explores these three BIM sourcing methods in detail.
1. Internal Employee Modeling
The most common and effective method is having internal staff develop BIM models. Since these employees are closely involved in the project from start to finish, they spend minimal time understanding project details. Their deep familiarity allows them to identify and address potential issues early in the modeling process.
Additionally, the modeling process itself enhances the team’s overall understanding of the project, which supports successful implementation. As new information emerges, internal staff can quickly and accurately update BIM models due to their ongoing involvement.
Creating BIM models also offers valuable opportunities for employees to practice and improve their BIM skills. Since BIM models typically include components like architectural, structural, and MEP models developed by different specialists, this process encourages effective communication and collaboration, strengthening the team’s capabilities.
However, internal modeling requires sufficient company resources, including skilled personnel, adequate hardware, and appropriate BIM software. This represents a significant initial investment for organizations.
2. BIM Outsourcing
For companies without the capacity to handle BIM modeling internally, outsourcing offers an alternative. Many opt for outsourcing due to its cost-effectiveness and short-term convenience. However, when considering the entire project lifecycle and long-term development, outsourcing costs may not always be lower than internal modeling.
External modelers often lack in-depth project knowledge. Before beginning their work, they need considerable time to review and understand project data. Additionally, these external partners may not fully grasp or prioritize the project’s specific objectives, which limits their ability to identify or communicate potential issues during modeling.
Receiving BIM models from external sources requires substantial effort from project members to analyze and interpret the models while sharing internal information. Since the knowledge gained by external modelers is not transferred back to the internal team, valuable insights can be lost.
Moreover, deciding when and how to update models can be challenging. External personnel may be unfamiliar with project execution details, while internal staff might lack sufficient BIM expertise. Coordinating these updates demands extensive communication and resources, potentially increasing costs.
Outsourcing also limits opportunities for companies to build internal BIM capabilities. Employees miss out on hands-on experience and the chance to collaborate within a BIM team — both critical for long-term BIM adoption.
3. BIM Work Teams
To balance the advantages of internal modeling with the drawbacks of outsourcing, forming a BIM work team is a practical solution for companies not yet fully equipped for internal modeling.
A BIM work team may include newly hired BIM specialists, temporary staff, or remote consultants collaborating virtually. Effective communication, trust, and teamwork are essential in these teams. By fostering shared goals and a cooperative culture, they can efficiently produce accurate and comprehensive BIM models.
This approach also enables employees to learn BIM processes on the job, develop teamwork skills, and gradually build BIM expertise. It provides a valuable platform for those unfamiliar with BIM technology to get involved and expand their knowledge.
BIM work teams overcome many limitations of outsourcing while requiring fewer resources than full internal modeling. This makes them an excellent choice for small- to medium-sized construction firms beginning their BIM journey.
In conclusion, each BIM sourcing method has its own advantages and challenges. Organizations should choose the approach that best fits their unique circumstances and leverage successful experiences to advance BIM adoption within their teams.
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up