subject: BIM as a Business Process Improvement for the Construction Industry [print this page] BIM as a Business Process Improvement for the Construction Industry
With the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in construction projects on the increase, the need for business process improvement projects rises. As with any new and major change of working busines processes practices a few issues are cropping up. Most stem from a lack of clear deliverable from the design team, and some contracts not aligning between the design and construction. Some of the biggest issues are:
Around the level of detail between construction and design in the model
By using the model differently by both the design and construction teams resulting in reward/liability issues. One party is gaining value, whilst the other receiving liabilities resulting in the parties being contractually out of balance.
The clarity behind who maintains the model at each step of the project.
Push back by constructers on signed waivers for using the BIM because contractors want BIM itself as a contract document.
Defining the contractual significance of the BIM model and how it relates to hard copies.
Contracts between the architect and contractor being out of alignment when BIM becomes a contractual deliverable.
IP rights, ownership and licensing rights of BIMs. Who owns the model at various stage? Once the design is handed over to owner and then to the contractors, designers think the model is out of their hands, leading to a 'blame-game'.
What they have in common is high quality food for the legal profession. Architects, designers, owners, contractors, engineers, and others should strongly consider protecting themselves against this probability.
By implementing a continuous business process improvement project, firms can demonstrate that best practice is being applied across all areas of the organisation. Better still, using business process improvement software solutions will provide a 100% audit trial to prove this case. No one can expect more, not even the courts.
There are many advantages of taking on a continuous business process improvement project. Apply it to marketing and sales and you should learn to win more business. Applied in business operations and make saving and avoid costs. Processes are about how you work. Do them right and get the rewards, do them wrong and suffer the consequences.
We have seen from just one example above of a business scenario that is driving the need for continuously business process improvements. On top of that, government regulations, technology, culture, and society are just some of the changing customer attitudes increasing the need for change. Continuous business process improvements are essential otherwise the penalties can range from:
being outwitted and out-performed by competitors
being fined for non-compliant or negligent
and or missing opportunities to gain operational efficiencies
The more business process improvements you make the greater the effectiveness and efficiencies of your work force and the less liable you become.
