Many students have asked the editor: What skills are required to become a professional BIM engineer? In this article, the BIM Architecture Training Network offers insights from an expert’s perspective to answer this question.
We can categorize the skills of BIM professionals into two main groups: engineering skills and BIM-specific skills. Engineering skills refer to the ability to complete various tasks during the design, construction, and operation phases of engineering projects, such as architectural design, mechanical and electrical installation, and equipment maintenance. This classification is relatively straightforward due to the well-established division of labor in the engineering construction industry, which reduces debate and disagreement.
On the other hand, BIM skills involve applying BIM technologies, methods, and processes to enhance the quality and efficiency of the engineering tasks mentioned above. Since BIM is still rapidly evolving, defining and classifying BIM skills remains an ongoing topic of discussion both internationally and domestically.
Engineering skills can be further divided into three categories based on the main project lifecycle stages: design, construction, and operation & maintenance.
- Design stage: Includes specialties such as architectural design, structural engineering, equipment planning, and electrical engineering.
- Construction stage: Covers civil construction, mechanical and electrical installation, construction planning, and cost control.
- Operation and maintenance stage: Encompasses space management, asset management, and equipment maintenance.
Although this classification is not exhaustive or necessarily the most optimal, it helps clarify that BIM professionals need to master one or more of these engineering skills. Since engineering skills are not the primary focus of this article, we will instead concentrate on the BIM-specific skills required for BIM professionals.
The BIM abilities of professionals can be classified into six levels, ranging from basic to advanced:
- BIM Software Operation: The ability to proficiently use one or more BIM software tools. This is the fundamental skill required for roles like BIM model production engineer, BIM information application engineer, and BIM professional analysis engineer. The BIM software list referenced here follows the classification method published by the American General Contractors Association. Alternative classification methods do not affect the core concept, which is the ability to use BIM software.
- BIM Model Production: The skill to create BIM models tailored to different disciplines and project objectives, including architectural models, structural models, site models, mechanical and electrical models, performance analysis models, and safety warning models. This skill is essential for BIM model production engineers.
- BIM Model Application: The capability to analyze, simulate, and optimize various tasks across different project stages using BIM models. Examples include scheme visualization, performance analysis, design review, and construction process simulation. This is a key skill for BIM professional analysis engineers.
- Establishing the BIM Application Environment: The ability to set up the technical infrastructure required for successful BIM implementation in a project, such as delivery standards, workflows, component libraries, software, hardware, and network configurations. BIM project managers, supported by BIM IT specialists, are expected to possess this skill.
- BIM Project Management: The competence to lead and coordinate BIM teams to meet project BIM objectives, including defining specific BIM applications, assembling and training project teams. This skill is essential for BIM project managers.
- BIM Business Integration: The strategic ability to align BIM applications with enterprise business goals, including evaluating BIM’s business value, calculating return on investment, and developing new business models. This advanced skill is typically held by BIM strategic directors.
With expert guidance from the BIM Architecture Training Network, the editor has clarified the essential skills every BIM professional should develop. If you’re wondering whether you have what it takes to become a BIM engineer or what standards to measure your abilities against, this overview provides a clear framework to evaluate your qualifications as a BIMer.
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