Key BIM Applications for Effective Schedule Planning

BIM technology should be utilized in various aspects of project scheduling, including the creation of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), planning, calculation of engineering quantities aligned with progress, resource allocation, progress plan optimization, progress plan review, and visualization of progress.

2. In BIM-based schedule planning, a WBS can be developed according to the specific characteristics of the project, which then serves as the foundation for preparing a detailed schedule plan. A schedule management model is created based on the detailed design model, allowing for the calculation of engineering quantities and resource allocation according to quotas. This facilitates optimization of the schedule plan. The schedule management model is finalized through a review process, as illustrated below.

3. The project should be decomposed sequentially into overall engineering, unit engineering, sub-projects, construction sections, and processes, ultimately forming a comprehensive WBS that meets the following criteria:

• The construction sections within the WBS should represent the construction workspaces or localized models and support linkage with the BIM model;
• The WBS must be detailed enough to support schedule plan development and clearly illustrate task interrelationships;
• The information model created from the WBS should correspond to the project’s area divisions and construction processes.

4. Construction tasks and milestones should be clearly defined based on the acceptance sequence. In line with construction deployment requirements, establish the start and completion dates for each task within the WBS, along with their dependencies. The following information should be determined:

• Milestones and their respective start and completion dates;
• Using task dependencies, resource allocation, task durations, and milestone timings, develop a schedule plan that specifies the start and finish times for each node, identifying the critical path.

When building the schedule management model, import the detailed design or prefabrication models and divide or consolidate them according to the WBS. The schedule plan should be linked to these models.

6. It is recommended to estimate the engineering quantities for each task node based on the schedule management model, and to attach or associate quota information within the model.

7. Schedule optimization should follow these steps:

• Determine task durations based on enterprise quotas, experience data, and project management expertise gained from similar projects;
• Verify whether the schedule meets constraints and achieves optimal levels by examining project quantities, labor requirements, and durations;
• If the revised schedule conflicts with the original total or milestone durations, consult with relevant engineering professionals. Throughout this process, consider the construction logic, required personnel, materials, machinery for each construction phase, and local environmental conditions. Adjust and optimize the schedule plan accordingly, and associate the updated schedule information with the BIM model;
• Use the optimized schedule to improve labor, material, and equipment planning;
• If resource investment does not meet project requirements, further schedule optimization should be performed.

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