When a design institute undertakes 3D design or BIM-related projects, the ideal personnel strategy is to have all project designers familiar with the relevant standards and proficient in the necessary software. This allows the use of 3D software for analysis, detection, and drawing throughout the entire process. However, what if the company lacks prior experience or allocated personnel for this work? There are three main options to consider:
The first option is to train all project designers to learn and master the relevant technologies and software.
The second approach involves outsourcing to external consulting firms, either as agents or collaborators, to complete the required deliverables.
The third choice is to establish a dedicated support team responsible for modeling and conflict detection.
Among these, the first option is the most ideal. Yet, due to constraints such as personnel availability, costs, and time, it can be challenging to implement on large-scale projects involving many designers in the short term. However, it suits projects with relatively high design costs, longer timelines, and younger design staff.
The second option offers a relatively reliable short-term solution, but it usually requires client approval or additional budget allocation. Deliverables must be compatible with this approach; otherwise, high communication overhead can negatively impact the quality of results. For example, if the design institute lacks expertise in detailed 3D design of curtain walls and steel structures, external partners can be engaged. However, direct involvement of designers in model drawing or pipeline integration may not be suitable for collaboration with other entities.
The third option can be considered a short-term emergency measure. If it is difficult for all designers to transition to full 3D design but the project demands 3D error checking and model delivery, this method is viable. In this workflow, traditional 2D methods generate drawings, while 3D models assist in clash detection. Designers continue to work in their familiar 2D environment, while a team of young software specialists handle the 3D modeling. When conflicts are found, feedback is provided to the designers, who then update the 2D drawings accordingly.
Currently, the industry trend is moving toward BIM as a modeling tool. This shift explains why many BIM professionals have returned to design roles. It is expected that as regular designers become proficient with relevant software through extensive project experience, reliance on such interim solutions will diminish over time.
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