Modular BIM Training: A Beginners Guide To The Business of BIM

Modular BIM Training
A beginners guide to the business of BIM
GBR
Disclaimer
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting a warranty. Every effort has
been made to present all information accurately, however no liability is accepted for any inclusions or advice given or for omissions from this
publication and White Frog Publishing Ltd makes no warranty, representation or undertaking whether expressed or implied, nor does it assume any
legal liability, whether direct or indirect, or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, usefulness or fitness for purpose of any information
contained in this material.
Copyright
©Copyright 2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom.
White Frog Publishing Ltd prohibits the reproduction in any form of any portion of these printed materials in any medium without prior written
agreement.
Trademarks
Autodesk, Revit, AutoCAD and NavisWorks are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk Inc. in the USA and or certain other countries. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

Welcome to White Frog!
If this is your first White Frog training course then welcome to a new approach to training and personal development. If
you have been with us before then welcome back.
Training courseware is a vital aspect of any learning experience and this material has been produced to the highest quality
to ensure a thorough understanding of the topics in relation to real-world usage and established best practice. This
courseware utilizes modular principles to deliver instruction on the topics which are relevant to you, to the project and to
the corporate environment. The techniques and methodologies discussed within these modules are constantly adapted
and updated to keep pace with the latest developments in the software and the workplace, with advice often devised and
revised in the process of working alongside some of the largest design and construction companies in the world.
The White Frog team of authors are a mixed group of independent consultants and recognized experts-in-practice who are
pushing the boundaries of software and protocols from various perspectives. Several members of the team have been
involved with Revit since the very early days, as. We have product specialists, users, trainers and adoption advisors, as well
as magazine columnists, blog authors and trade event speakers from around the world. This material represents therefore,
many years of cumulative experience and know-how and is the reason why White Frog training courseware is the choice of
professionals.
OK, so why is the material modular?

Whilst some basic principles need to be understood by everyone, we acknowledge that the learning needs of every
individual are unique to them and to the current project. Over protracted time and several projects, a delegate may want
to cover a wide range of topics or may become specialized in a limited aspect of several pieces of software and/or
workflow. The modular program allows for this flexibility in education whilst maintaining consistency of message across the
topics, whether in the form of a single masterclass module or a whole book.
Each module is a self-contained unit, with notes accompanying the lectures and hands-on exercise scripts to reinforce
practical topics and help the delegate through the training course and beyond into working practice. All material has been
prepared in line with international standards and protocols to ensure that industry-recognized best practice is instilled from
the outset.
Our training courseware is designed to be delivered by a trainer or consultant, either collectively as part of a classroom
course or individually in a less structured context of project-based consultative support.
The modules can be mixed and matched to deliver a fully customized course so the contents of this book may vary, from a
single one-hour CPD module to a full multi-day course. For a full list of the available modules, speak to your training
provider or visit the White Frog website.
We trust that you find the enclosed material delivers on our goals and aspirations, as well as your expectations. Customer
feedback is critical to our efforts so please feel free to get in touch.
Paul Woddy Peter Routledge

paul@whitefrog.co peter@whitefrog.co
White Frog Publishing Ltd.

www.whitefrog.co

Modular Training Programme
Building Information Modelling
GBR
Module 01
A Beginners Guide to the Business of BIM
BIM
01
2012 Delegate Notes
Notes
Introduction
What is BIM and is it relevant to me? This is a question on many lips in today’s construction sector, and in this module we
intend to answer that question and hopefully several others that you possibly haven’t thought of yet, but should. We will
not answer all the questions relating to BIM adoption strategy but hope at least, to guide people towards knowing what
questions they need to ask when defining one.
BIM is an acronym that is much used and very much misunderstood, even by many of those who do use it. It is not a new
term – it was first coined in the 70’s – nor does any one party own it, commercially or collectively, and this partly explains
one of the problems. Because no organisation can claim ownership or oversight, clear definitions and standards have been
slow to emerge and confusion has spread. This situation has been exacerbated by some parties inappropriately or
tenuously jumping on the BIM bandwagon in an attempt to leapfrog the competition or re-launch existing products and/or
services.
For many, the move to BIM can be more cultural than it is

technological and the impact can be far reaching
in terms of upheaval as well as
reward. It is important to
grasp the principles and
methodologies of BIM, as
well as the implications on
the team workflow, but also
to seize the opportunity to
work more closely with other
stakeholders in improved
collaboration and
coordination, often referred to
as supply chain collaboration.
BIM is not a topic exclusive to Architects, Engineers and Constructors and in the wider construction sector BIM is no less
relevant, even if it is arguably misdiagnosed as more of a sideline issue. If you are a manufacturer or supplier of products to
the building industry then the use of BIM may range from creating a suitable library of virtual elements to match your
products, all the way up to altering your manufacturing workflow to accommodate BIM data received electronically. BIM
libraries can be made available to designers who are specifying components, and hence act as a great new sales
opportunity, but which BIM software or format do you opt for? If you are a Client, Contractor, Topographical Surveyor,
Quantity Surveyor or Facility Manager then BIM may have a part to play for you but your interaction with it may be varied.
For many it may be simply a case of wait and see.
01 - 2 ©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

01 BIM
Delegate Notes 2012

What is BIM and what does it mean?
Starting with the basics, BIM is an acronym for Building Information Modelling. This might be stating the obvious to many
but it is worth clarifying because some people argue that BIM can refer to Building Information Management as well, and
messaging from different software suppliers can vary. Both interpretations are logically correct and indeed sometimes the
word modelling causes some people to incorrectly pigeon-hole the tools into ‘fancy 3D graphics’, especially when those
writing about BIM tend to use fancy 3D graphics in the introduction! For the purpose of clarity, BIM means Building
Information Modelling. For a full list of relevant acronyms, follow the links to the CSN repository on the White Frog web
site.
So that was the easy bit, but what does it mean?
Although there is no authoritative legal definition of BIM, it can be summarised as a methodology which is fundamentally
concerned with the collation and management of information relating to a building, manipulated through a 3D awareness
of inter-relationships between objects and their associated data.
Follow that?
Put another way, a virtual building model is developed and information is collated from manufacturers or through the
traditional decision-making process of design. The difference is that instead of important information being added as a text
string which points to some lines on a drawing, this background data is intrinsically attached to the relevant elements
which are placed within the model in correct relation to one another.
Drawings are no longer a prerequisite deliverable from a BIM workflow, but when they are required they, along with
schedules and other deliverables are simply interrogations of this pool of graphical and non-graphical information:
annotations on a drawing are no longer a post-it stuck on top but a generic item extracting and reporting this information.
If we make a change to the information, that change is reflected in all views and reports that reference the data, even if
that data is stored externally and associated through a unique ID which relates it back to the modelled element.
The last part of that statement is important because BIM is a methodology, not a software tool; no one application can
deliver the whole BIM picture, nor should it. Technically, BIM methodology could be applied using a pencil and a
spreadsheet application, and it could equally apply to road, rail and infrastructure, or in fact to the management and
maintenance of existing facilities although this tends to come under the wider heading of AIM or Asset
Information Modelling. For the sake of this module, and keeping things simple initially, we
are talking about BIM and as such it has to relate to a Building project; it should be rich in
non-graphical Information; and it should be built with reference to a 3D Model.
The nature of the underlying database means that once created, if an object is
subsequently updated or changed, not only do these changes reflect in all relevant 2D
and 3D views simultaneously, but any annotation is also updated, thereby maintaining the
co-ordination of the model as well as all views of the model.
If you only take one statement from this opening section, let it be that the most important
part of BIM is the I in the middle. Information is king! In the BIM methodology, data is
collated, modelled, manipulated and managed, but always with an understanding of the
object to which the data relates.
©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd. 01 - 3

BIM
01
2012 Delegate Notes
Is this not just CAD with bells on?
When drawing boards were (largely) replaced by monitors plus a succession of tablets, keyboards, mice and other input
devices, software developers focused on mirroring the techniques and processes of the drawing office, whilst hopefully
removing some of the repetition and generally making the job easier and faster along the way.
The adoption of BIM with all of the associated upheaval has been equated to this switch to CAD, but the consequences for
the drawing office can be considerably more far-reaching. Technically, of course BIM is CAD in that CAD is Computer Aided
Design but pushing semantics aside, the industry has come to draw a distinction between the two, with the involvement of
the computer being a foregone conclusion.
It's not simply a case of applying traditional

techniques to a new technology, but the adoption
of new methodologies and business practices that
denote BIM. Aspects of BIM will replace the
drawing production side of CAD as it will similarly
replicate some of the actions traditionally
performed by spreadsheets and databases for
quantitative analysis and component specification.
Also affected will be the team structure, job titles
and project management; communication with
suppliers and contractors; client deliverables;
collaboration with other project stakeholders; fee
structures and contract form; legal liabilities;
insured risk and mitigation; and ...
The benefits and rewards can be equally

comprehensive, but only if the adoption of the
process and workflow is managed well. Buying the
wrong software or pouring money into
inappropriate training can result in an expensive
and painful exercise.
We cannot feasibly provide the answers specific to every corporate environment here, but rather look to empower those
individuals tasked with assessing BIM by providing them with the information to be able to ask relevant questions of the
right people.

01 BIM
Delegate Notes 2012

Who is it relevant to?
So you may be thinking that this is only really of interest to Architects and Engineers, possibly contractors as well. Certainly
those parties are in the catchment pool of people who may chose to take on BIM and make it a core aspect of their
business simply because it can improve the quality and efficiency of their existing delivery.
The decision to get involved in BIM can be simplified into a small number of pigeonholes with a succession of questions
leading to the most appropriate solution:
A. You need to be aware of BIM and where it is being adopted, above and below you in the supply chain
Action: Keep asking questions
B. It may be pertinent to supply BIM data as a sales initiative either in maintaining current position or gaining new
market share
Action: The most cost effective solution would usually be to contract out the task of building the
components as the cost of maintaining the software and skills in-house would be difficult to justify
C. Building BIM skills internally would be relevant and cost-effective in order to interact with the supply chain and
the manufacturing or maintenance process
Action: Define a BIM Strategy, choose a primary software format and train or hire BIM-ready personnel
D. BIM methodology can deliver demonstrable efficiency gains internally

Action: An adoption strategy with ROI should be strongly considered and regularly reassessed in the future
if the numbers do not yet stack up
E. Full collaborative BIM involving the transfer and reuse of electronic data with one or more stakeholders makes
adoption essential
Action: A thorough software adoption and training strategy should be budgeted and planned
A larger version of this diagram

can be found on the White Frog
website at www.whitefrog.co

BIM
01
2012 Delegate Notes
How and where do I buy BIM?
Does Revit = BIM and BIM = Revit? Several misconceptions need to be explained, including the idea that buying a piece of
software is the answer to adopting a new business / design strategy.
BIM is a methodology and a working process as much as it is a purchasing decision. Revit is currently the market leading
BIM software and it does help facilitate this methodology if properly utilised but so would products from Bentley,
Graphisoft and a myriad of other developers – even Microsoft Excel has a part to play. Each tool has ardent fans and
fervent detractors and each has benefits and failures, none of which we will be looking at here! The various pro’s and con’s
of each platform need to be understood in the context of the unique office environment and the requirements therein.
Best avoid the soapbox preachers from any one camp and remember to speak to the whole supply chain.
Industry Drivers
Far and away the biggest driver for BIM adoption in the UK has been the recent
government announcement that from 2016 onwards, the use of BIM
methodology is mandated on all public construction projects with a value of
£5million or more, but anticipate that all projects will be BIM compliant by that
date. They are initially dictating a Level 2 BIM methodology and that COBie is the
exchange format for hand-over because both of these are achievable targets in
the short to medium-term. As the market progresses and meets these objectives,
it is expected that the bar will be moved higher. The UK government is by no
means alone in doing this and companies with dealings in Scandinavia and
elsewhere have already seen similar moves.
It is not that every design practice intends on winning public work, nor should a
practice that precludes such work ignore this information as the effort and
researching undertaken to validate this government decision has given the
private sector the confidence boost it needed to move in the same direction. It is
no longer early-adopter technology but something with a proven track record and
a strong future.
In addition to the political drivers, the technological improvement in both

hardware and software associated with BIM is driving the market forwards. The
efficiency gains that can be made in adopting even a fraction of the features of
BIM software can justify the often steep purchase and implementation cost.
These savings cannot be assumed however and the benefits promised by the
chosen BIM software should be a carefully reviewed against the associated
expense of delivery in the traditional workflow; or the added financial benefit or
delivering a new service.

01 BIM
Delegate Notes 2012

Educational institutions have access to pretty much all the software they need but they rightly have a tendency to only
adopt the technology which supports or enhances the message being taught in the wider curriculum. Software is rarely the
topic of the course but usually just a means of delivering the expected result. BIM methodology transcends this and is both
a delivery mechanism and a topic worthy of academic study. Many Colleges and Universities are now offering qualifications
in BIM methodology and the principles form a core of many design courses.
Enlightenment amongst clients and contractors is growing in the UK surrounding the benefits to be had from a BIM-
committed supply chain. Communication is a key aspect of BIM, and better communication through multiple
representations of a problem or design intent, allows for a better understanding of a given scenario. The impact of any
proposed solutions is seen on all surrounding objects, therefore allowing for more informed decisions and various options
can be reviewed and discussed in order to reach the best result with full understanding of the costs and rewards of each
alternative. This is why the contractor and the client can expect a more streamlined and efficient design process, which in
turn is why many of them are mandating BIM on all future projects – a trend which has been accelerated by the
government pronouncement to the same effect.
With energy prices expected to rocket in the

coming decades, the existing building stock is
coming under ever closer scrutiny. Older, less
efficient structures are being assessed and options
being explored and priced to renovate or replace.
Many of these inefficient buildings are owned and

maintained by public bodies such as councils,
universities, hospitals, etc and with limited budgets
available in the public sector, this task has to be
performed with intelligence and as much self-
sufficiency as possible. BIM does have a large part
to play in the survey and assessment as well as the
development of refurbishment options or
replacement opportunities.
It is undoubtedly the case that the construction sector will emerge from the current financial squeeze in a leaner, more
robust form than it was during the boom years. Those companies that not only survive but form the vanguard of the next
boom will demonstrate an awareness of this cultural change and be fully conversant in the technologies, methodologies,
implications and workflows of BIM.

BIM
01
2012 Delegate Notes
BIM Terminology and Principles
With any new advance in technology comes a whole dictionary of terms and anagrams. We will not go into an exhaustive
list of these here – although one can be found through the links on the White Frog web site if you want to check any
specifics. We will explore some terms which you may have come across such as Siloed BIM, Collaborative BIM or Big BIM
and take a look at the wider implications in preparing data which may potentially be used throughout the design,
construction and maintenance of a facility – there are pitfalls to avoid in taking the ideologies to extreme levels.
The Single Building Model

One term that leads to a very common misconception is that the
concept of BIM and the idea of a Single Building Model are one and the
same. This is also one of the biggest fears for insurance underwriters
who see a free-for-all where every stakeholder is working away on one
shared project file, adding and modifying their elements, with other
trades working around them.
It raises serious questions regarding the ownership of elements and

the associated permissions and liabilities, only some of which are
answered by the technology. A lot of these issues would currently have
to be handled through trust and management and are therefore a
potential hotbed of disagreement and blame.
The Single Building Model is at this point in time, a fallacy, both from a technological perspective and from a cultural
perspective. The software and hardware would preclude all but the smallest commercial projects, and the contractual
environment within the supply chain is not ready for the required workflows either.
Case studies are available around the world demonstrating the concept of a single file, worked on by all parties, but this has
been in very limited and controlled circumstances, on small-scale buildings. Given the right hardware and software setup, it
is feasible to do it, but that does not mean it is right or advisable to do it.

01 BIM
Delegate Notes 2012

BIM or BIM?
Rome was not built in a day and likewise it is impractical to suggest that any organisation will take a single step to go from
reliance upon 2D drawings using CAD to a full collaborative BIM workflow. In fact there are four defined levels of BIM
adoption:
Level 0 2D CAD
Level 1 3D CAD
Level 2 Siloed BIM
Level 3 Collaborative BIM
As this graphic shows there is overlap between the different levels of CAD and BIM usage and as we will see, there is a
process which is commonly followed during the implementation.
We will not go into the details of 2D CAD workflow as that is well established and not the remit of this guide. We will
instead start where BIM begins, in a Level 1 workflow.
Level 1 - Is it CAD or BIM?

It's not uncommon to find that software such as Revit, ArchiCAD
or other BIM-capable applications are used to the extent that
drawings are delivered from them, but all BIM aspects are
effectively ignored in the process. This is no better than 3D CAD
and the model is used purely for aesthetic and graphical
interrogation, effectively missing the i out of the acronym and
leaving a Building Model.
This generally occurs when there is a lack of understanding and

training and usually stems from a decision – forced or otherwise
– to adopt BIM and thinking that the price of this adoption is the
cost of a software licence.
It is a common mistake to imagine that because a company is staffed with intelligent users, they will be able to train
themselves and get on with it. Whilst this may be true, in terms of replicating old processes and getting the new software
to ‘fit-in’, it does not allow those users to realise the benefits of the new workflows that deliver the real return on the
investment. You can only search for help if you know what to search for.

BIM
01
2012 Delegate Notes
Big BIM and Little BIM
So having decided to use the missing i and add information to the modelled elements, users move firmly into the BIM
ecosystem. But adopting BIM-capable software and methodologies for in-house production of deliverables is only the first
step in BIM and although the benefits of doing so are measurable, it is only when BIM data is transferred between project
stakeholders and used in a collaborative sense that the full capabilities are realised.
Level 2 - Siloed BIM

Level 2 BIM is often referred to as Siloed BIM or Little BIM, so called because BIM is used in isolation of outside
circumstances. This is not necessarily an indication that the software is badly-used or under-performing, but is often seen
as a means to an end in terms of production, alteration and management of drawings and is often the first step in a BIM
implementation – learning to walk before you run.
In this diagram we can see that the

Architect is using BIM internally, but still
communicates with the various
engineers and the contractor through
the traditional communication medium
of drawings albeit perhaps electronic
versions of drawings
Drawings are required for the

fabricators and on-site
construction team
It's not uncommon for various stakeholders to be using BIM for their own purposes in-house and yet be unaware of how
others on the project are preparing documentation for the client or contractor. Each party delivers a set of drawings and
instructions as per the contractual deliverables, whether they use the latest BIM tools or even cave paintings.

01 BIM
Delegate Notes 2012

Level 3 - Collaborative BIM
Also known as Collaborative BIM, iBIM or Big BIM, this is the ideal to which we should aspire as an industry.
Electronic transfer of BIM

data between all project
stakeholders with regular
meetings to coordinate The client / contractor is also able
the model and assign to review progress through the
responsibility to resolve model which then forms the basis
issues of an FM package
Drawings are still

required on-site
It does not dictate that all parties utilise the same software platform, but that electronic communication between
platforms is fully explored and exploited.
Ideally, data is regularly passed between all parties and frequent collaboration meetings see the collation of the virtual
building design incorporating all disciplines.
Such meetings would identify clashes and assign resolution of issues.
Each team should have access to the BIM data of other parties as a backdrop to their design activity and the client or
contractor would be able to see and interfere interact with the process.
The final deliverable of the workflow would be a fully laden 3D model containing all associated meta-data for Facility
Management.
The production of drawings might still be necessitated by the preference of construction workers but need no longer be an
integral aspect of design delivery.

BIM
01
2012 Delegate Notes
What Dimension are you on?

Depending on which articles and white papers you
might have read or heard of, the number of D’s seems
to grow by the day, with less agreement the higher you
go. For the practical purposes of BIM, there are six that
have relative industry agreement:
1D A Point
2D Line Drawing
3D Modelled Solids and Surfaces
4D Time and Sequence
5D Costing
6D Building Lifecycle Management and FM
The above will have a greater or lesser involvement in

your BIM workflow, depending upon your discipline
and choice, but also on the demands of the clients and
other project stakeholders.
BIM data produced by an Architect can often be used by Engineers in analysis applications; Quantity Surveyors in cost
estimating; Contractors in the planning and construction phase; and ultimately used as the basis of an FM handover, but all
of these uses may have implications on the way that a model is constructed as well as the type, style and formatting of
information that is collated and compiled. These requirements may mean additional work to the model or even efforts that
run contrary to the requirements of others.
This statement may seem contrary but in truth, the model that is produced by the concept Architect at the commencement
of the design is a very different model containing vastly different objects to the one which is used as an FM tool at the end.
It is neither possible nor cost-effective to encompass all possible uses into an element from the outset, but most BIM
workflows allow for the easy swapping of components and the addition of new meta-data to suit a new usage.

01 BIM
Delegate Notes 2012

LOD – Level of Detail or Level of Development
Having looked at Levels of BIM and Dimensions of information, the third factor to consider is the LOD which can refer to
either the Level of Development or the Level of Detail contained within the model. Both terms mean the same thing and
aim to clarify the expectation in terms of information granularity. These LOD’s are often linked to time and stage of work
with a model progressing from concept through to construction and FM.
There are two strains which have developed independently, either side of the Atlantic but have matured into near
alignment. The following table compares and contrasts the two:
Terminology
Description
AEC(UK)BIM Protocols AIA BIM Standard (US)
LOD 0 LOD 100 A conceptual massing study where shapes and forms are
explored against the client brief and design intent. At this
stage, floor areas and volumes can be extracted from the
3D model and departmental flow can be rationalised
LOD 1 LOD 200 The basic form is developed using categorised

components such as walls, floors, columns and
equipment. These elements are generic place-holders in
terms of their associated meta-data but also appearance,
often with all objects made from one common material,
hence the application of the term ‘White Model’
LOD 2 LOD 300 As design decisions are made, the generic place-holders
are replaced with precise, manufacturer-specific objects,
rich in associated information but still simple in their 3D
geometry
Here the two standards diverge slightly as the purpose of the LOD is interpreted differently with the AEC terminology
looking to differentiate between the geometric simplicity that is acceptable for general draughting purposes versus the
complexity required to produce quality rendered images.

BIM
01
2012 Delegate Notes
Terminology
Description
AEC(UK)BIM Protocols AIA BIM Standard (US)
LOD 3 N/A Simplified geometric form is adequate for most BIM
tasks but when aesthetic images and rendered scenes
are required, it is necessary to replace elements with
more accurate objects
LOD 4 LOD 400 Objects are either swapped or additional information is

appended to include fabrication and assembly
information. This does not always mean that the objects
get more geometrically accurate, but that information is
added which is relevant to the construction process
LOD 5 LOD 500 The model is updated to reflect the As-Built nature of the
finished building
The majority of design work is carried out in the first three LOD’s where the terminology is interchangeable.
This terminology is important because it may have a major impact on the quoted price of a job and a detailed scope should
go much deeper in specifying what scale and at what stage certain elements will be defined and in what dimension. The
following practical example may help to clarify:
For the next delivery deadline, all pipes above ##Ø will be modelled in 3D. Pipes
between ##Ø and ##Ø will be shown schematically in 2D. Connections below ##Ø
will not be shown.
A succession of these types of statement will clarify, without ambiguity, the

extent to which the model is expected to deliver on clash detection and to what
extent the final fixtures are connected by the skilled fitter on site.
Only the first part of this scope is BIM with the second part being a CAD workflow
and the third being blind luck! This is not an uncommon scenario where BIM
methodology is delivered to a defined point but no further. Where traditional,
manual construction methods are ultimately to be used, the advantages gained
from the BIM, versus the cost of creating the model do tail off as we approach
higher levels of detail. The counter argument is that this does lead us towards a
process which is open to human error.

01 BIM
Delegate Notes 2012

The Implications of Adopting BIM
Information Timeline and Overload
The buildingSMART® MacLeamy
Curve promotes a workflow
whereby the decision making
process is moved further forward
and hence lowers the cost of
refining design. BIM methodology
can assist in this effort by
improving collaborative
communication and by drawing
closer parallels between the
virtual concept and the built
reality, thereby highlighting
clashes and construction issues.
This desire to improve can also

lead into one of the most common
BIM adoption pitfalls, potentially
causing undue financial expense
and leading to BIM software and
protocols becoming unpopular
amongst staff. It is an incorrect assumption that in developing a design using BIM methods, all design decisions have to be
made at a far earlier stage of the job than is preferable or would previously have occurred. Whilst the above diagram shows
us that this can be beneficial to the overall project, it is inappropriate during the tender stage for instance, when work is
carried out speculatively and with minimal effort. It is often a symptom of the self-taught user that undue consideration of
the components is applied prematurely whereas BIM software is just as capable of being vague and conceptual as CAD or
the pencil are.
Very closely linked to this topic is the problem of over-modelling which is not uniquely a BIM problem but is just as
prevalent amongst CAD users. Just because software allows us to draw or model a component with accurate anatomical
geometry, does not mean that it is the right thing to do. The worst protagonists of this have and remain to be the product
manufacturers who provide their electronic libraries, complete with seals, washers, grommets, bolt-threads and fan-
blades. The user often does not have the time to clean and rationalise these elements and the result is too much graphical
information going into a drawing or model.
BIM should be the technology that removes this problem but it is also the technology that accentuates it. It has the
potential to eliminate it because associated meta-data can provide specifics on a chosen element without the need for
graphical recognition – rather than model the hinges of a door, the properties of a simple generic component can advise
that Furniture set A is applied as per spec...

BIM
01
2012 Delegate Notes
Unfortunately, bad practice and over-enthusiastic users tend to get carried away, enjoying the
ability to recreate a component as a virtual work-of-art. This is repeatedly evident by reviewing
the copious on-line repositories for BIM content where proud modellers are willing to share
their creations in return for plaudits and followers. The problem is that such extremes are not
scalable, nor do they necessarily add to the delivery or the value of the finished product.
Even on something as simple as the air terminal seen here, there is a tendency to want to
replicate the metal fins on the grill and even to make them parametric so that resizing the unit
will adjust the quantity of fins. If this principle is applied to every element, both the hardware
and project budget will quickly look inadequate. The fact of the matter is that at the view scale
they are likely to be used, it is highly unlikely that anyone would know if the box had simple
lines drawn on the surface instead of complex geometry.
Standards and Protocols

Various international standards will be banded around in the BIM ecosystem and may be referred to on different projects.
As an appendix to this document, a brief explanation is provided on the most relevant of those.
 AEC(UK) BIM Standard  IFC

 BS1192:2007  OmniClass
 COBie  UniFormat
 CI/SfB  AIA BIM Protocols E202
 Uniclass
All of the above are industry-wide protocols and standards, with many more coming up for consideration in each of the
different disciplines, such as transfer protocols specific to environmental assessment of buildings and structural analysis of
structures. There are too many to list in this exploratory document but further information is available in this series of
training modules.

01 BIM
Delegate Notes 2012

Team and Workflow Changes
There are many areas of working practice that are touched by the BIM ethos if properly embraced. That is not to say that
complete turmoil will ensue on the first day of use, and BIM methodology can be eased into a practice and allowed to
prove its merits before spreading its wings, but in order to take full advantage, old processes and workflows may need to
be re-assessed. A few such examples are highlighted here.
In the traditional drawing office, a

pyramidal structure would see a lead
designer at the pinnacle and a tier of
tracers at the base with various grades
in between. Often the lead designers
would have a hands-off approach to
drawing production work. BIM
encourages, and in many cases insists
that operators understand what is
being modelled because the elements
are not arbitrary lines to which
meaning is assigned by a skilled
overseer; they are intelligent objects
with properties and inherent
characteristics specific to the category
of component. As such the more
building-savvy the user – the more
efficient they are at modelling and
manipulating information in a BIM
environment.
Particular skills will naturally emerge and talents for specific tasks will surface amongst the users. Some will take to content
creation whilst others will gravitate towards schedules, detailing or model management. Over time the team will settle into
a new, more horizontal structure as these skills develop.
Another area which can lead to frustration in the office is the timeline for producing deliverables. Again looking at a
traditional environment, a twelve week programme with a requirement for 200 drawings should see somewhere in the
region of 150 drawings at or near completion by the nine week stage. Management and the client can see the progress and
gauge whether deadlines will be met. In a BIM scenario however an inexperienced team may not have a single drawing
prepared by the same milestone, but they have a fantastic model filled with metadata and resplendent with fabulous views
which are compiled at the eleventh hour to deliver the job. This can only lead to stress which can easily be avoided. Most
BIM tools allow the drawing sheets to be created, named and views allocated, even if those views are largely empty or
under development. As the model progresses, so do the drawing sheets, so the boss can see what is going on.

BIM
01
2012 Delegate Notes
Implications on Fee and Deliverables
It is imperative that the implications of BIM are considered when preparing fee proposals and agreeing terms with clients
and contractors. By this we do not imply that it is more expensive to deliver a project when BIM methodology is utilised,
nor is it as simple as saying that the reverse is true.
Often the increase in efficiency and hence the reduction in time and costs of preparing deliverables is offset by the increase
in expectation and potential additional services which may be naively promised for no additional fee. Those seeking work
and agreeing terms at the top of a company need a good understanding of the various costs and efforts involved in
preparing a particular set of data by those at the coal-face. This is nothing new, but the upheaval of new technology and
the clamour for available work has seen a few organisations over-promise and strip out all profits from a job.
There are new roles emerging within the industry which will need to be filled, and hence opportunities to offer new
services and grow additional revenue streams. Someone within a project team will need to take on BIM leadership and
coordination. Do you want that role and the associated fee and responsibility?
Who owns the model? This is always an interesting question because unless it is stated in the contract documentation, the
BIM data is simply a means to an end in preparing the drawings that you are obliged to deliver. If the client or contractor
then asks the Architect for a copy of the model for clash detection, review or even FM, should he expect to get it for free.
Many would argue that if I paid for your time in preparing the information, then I can expect to have it in the original
format that it was prepared in. Whichever side of the fence you sit on, it is much better all round if this is clarified at a
contractual level and not fought over at the back end.
Protecting embedded intellectual property is a topic that logically

leads on from the model ownership. If a lot of time is spent
developing a data-rich and efficient library of components, and a
model containing such elements can easily be mined for
elements. This will inevitably lead to these elements falling into
the hands of competitors and there is very little you can do about
that. This should not be used as a reason not to build libraries but
should be considered when defining the specification of such
efforts.
Data format is also an aspect of the market which will come under intense scrutiny in the future. BIM is not about a single
piece of software, nor even a specific type of software, but a means of interacting with data from many perspectives and
objectives, and hence the exchange formats are ultimately more important than the software used in any one part of the
building life-cycle. Formats such as IFC are hopefully going to step in and fill the gaps that currently exist and allow
stakeholders to pass information freely around the design, construction and maintenance teams without large amounts
being lost along the way.

01 BIM
Delegate Notes 2012

Contract and Insurance Issues
Much has to change in order to allow BIM methodology to reach full
potential and for the entire industry to properly embrace the new way
of working and collaborating. Various initiatives aimed at proving the
effectiveness of IPD contracts (Integrated Project Delivery) or similar
are both available and underway and these new contract documents
should ease the adoption of BIM by eliminating some of the risks
surrounding litigation, but this mitigation of risk is not the only
contract-related change that we will probably see in the near future.
One example of an area that will have to change radically if we are

ever to realise the collaborative advantages of working in a fully
coordinated 3D model is the terms of contract for Building Services
consultants and designers. Recent years have seen a steady decline in
their involvement, often to nothing more than schematic design and
plant-room layout. Even this small amount has been done at a
relatively advanced stage of the design process, leaving little room for
influencing proposals without significant cost implications.
As far as the insurance industry is concerned, the whole BIM adoption has made them nervous to say the least. The current
consensus seems to be that the whole BIM subject is a free-for-all and that the only way to protect themselves is to ring-
fence BIM activity and effectively treat it as a means to an end in the production of drawings, with the sharing of models
prohibited!
This is due in no small part to the lack of common standards and mandated protocols by which they can gauge the
capability of a company or the requirements of a project, and hence assess the inherent risks. It is something that the
whole industry has to work to overcome and as standards are defined and gain acceptance in the future, we will see the
emergence of professional accreditation and qualifications which can then be mandated by underwriters and sought as a
mark of quality.
The Final Word...

BIM is a mind-set, not a software application, and adopting BIM methods can require an overhaul of the design process,
team structure and even business practices in order to achieve the full potential of the technology. This is not going to
happen overnight, as much because the industry will need to adapt as it is because of the internal upheaval and cost, but
the potentials are an exciting area of development with new revenue streams, additional services, increased efficiency and
a wider involvement in the whole building lifecycle.
It is not so new as to be an untested technology, but it is new enough not to be able to see the ultimate potential yet.

BIM
01
2012 Delegate Notes
Reference Section
The following standards and terms are mentioned in the above module and are applicable to the BIM workflow. Depending
on project location and nationality of client, a mixture of these may be referred to.
AEC(UK) BIM Standard This document has been written by a committee of advanced users and experts and is
primarily aimed at providing a working set of protocols and best practice guidance for SME’s
adopting BIM. The set of documents are free of charge and targeted at users of specific
software applications in order to use recognised terminology rather than generic vocabulary.
As such the Revit version and Bentley version are currently available, with other versions in
production alongside generic documents such as the BIM Execution Plan Pro Forma.
BS1192:2007 Originally developed from documentation by CPIC, BS1192 is the British Standard that
establishes the methodology for managing the production, distribution and quality of
construction information, including that generated by CAD systems, using a disciplined process
for collaboration and a specified naming policy. By inference this document is still the valid
standard for many when looking to assess the quality of output from BIM software but some
of the techniques and protocols are somewhat behind the times and a review is currently
underway.
COBie The Construction Operations Building Information Exchange was originally developed by NASA
and the White House Office of Science, and latterly the US Army Corp of Engineers. It is a
subset of IFC, designed as an exchange format for the hand-over of a construction project
upon completion and is effectively a large spreadsheet. As such, it does not need a 3D model
in order to create it but tools are emerging that will automatically transfer BIM data into the
COBie format.
CI/SfB Still very much the favoured system in many Architectural offices, this element classification
schema is no longer maintained and is officially superseded by Uniclass.
Uniclass Developed by the Construction Industry Project Information Committee (CPIC) representing
RIBA, RICS, CIBSE and others, this system replaces the CI/SfB classification and is currently due
for a new release.
IFC The Industry Foundation Class is a seemingly ideal means of passing information from one BIM
software platform to another. The difficulty is in the way that the compliance is applied - if you
imagine a list of one hundred bullet points and in order to comply, you must hit forty of those
points. It is possible for two applications to be IFC compliant and yet completely miss each
other. This is an over simplification of the problem but it hopefully explains the reason why it
currently is not the panacea that it could be. Hopefully future releases will tighten up the gaps.
OmniClass This classification system for the American construction industry does have its merits and a
growing number of users outside of the US. The contained tables are made up of various other
naming and numbering systems and the relevant table for designed elements comes from
UniFormat.

01 BIM
Delegate Notes 2012

UniFormat Jointly developed by the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) in the US and the equivalent
organisation in Canada (CSC), it is the dominant system in North America and those parts of
the world where the US has influence, such as the Middle East.
AIA BIM Protocols E202 This document focuses more on the processes surrounding BIM use and collaboration
between the various stakeholders rather than the internal standardisation of BIM software
usage. As such it is very similar to the BIM Execution Plan mentioned in the AEC (UK)
documentation set and the Penn State version as well.
Others Reference may well be made to various other documents, standards and protocols which may
be specific to the project or location of the client/project. Some of the larger clients around
the world have sufficient authority for their standards to influence the wider industry.
Examples include the US Army Corp of Engineers, Pennsylvania State as well as the Laing
O’Rourke Protocols.

Modular Training Programme BIM
Delegate Notes 2012
Want to Learn More?

Why not try these other modules which are available from White Frog Publishing?
If you enjoyed this course and the White Frog courseware then you may like to know that other modules are available or
under construction in the ever-expanding range of products. The material is also available on subscription and can be
purchased through your training provider, giving twelve months unlimited access to modules.
Autodesk Revit
The first range of modules launched by White Frog surround the use of Revit in a BIM environment with modules covering
a wide variety of topics across the three disciplines of the platform:
 Revit in a Nutshell  Preparation of a model for output  Basic curtain walls

 Introduction to the principles of to gbXML  Room data and colour fill
BIM  Local and OS coordinate systems
 UI tour, project navigation and view  Multi-discipline project start-up Revit Structure
creation  Multiple coordinate systems  Settings, units and Linking Revit
 Element selection and manipulation  Revit product overview  Modelling basics
 Visibility control and categorisation  Standards orientation  Foundations and piling
 Model development methodology  Family Editor: Detail Component  Slab and roof tools
 System family editing  Family Editor: Nested Components  Beam and truss systems
 Basic schedules and Legends  Family Editor: Advanced Techniques
 Geometry Formation and in-place  Family Editor: Type Catalogues Revit MEP
families  Existing Buildings from Survey Data  Equipment, fixtures & fittings
 2D draughting and annotation  Revit and DWF Mark-ups for review  Introducing systems
 Sheet compilation and publication  Mechanical systems
 Basic sub-division and collaboration Revit Architecture  Electrical systems
 Introduction to the principles of  Wall creation and manipulation  Plumbing & Piping systems
family editing  Floors, roofs and ceilings
 Design Options  Windows, doors and components
 Construction Sequencing (phases)  Massing tools and building maker  Lots more to follow...
Interoperability Series
A key White Frog focus is on the practical demonstration of product collaboration, rather than the theoretical
import/export claims made by the manufacturers. Interoperability modules can cover any aspect of the wider BIM
ecosystem including Revit, ArchiCAD, AutoCAD, Civil3D, MicroStation, Robot, CSC Suite, Tekla Structures, IES, Ecotect,
Navisworks, SketchUP, Inventor, 3ds Max, Newforma, etc
Other Products...
White Frog will soon be launching titles in the following products
 Navisworks  3DS Max
 Civil 3D  Microsoft Excel
 Bentley Microstation  AutoCAD
All modules are available in both Metric and Imperial version.

Part of the White Frog
Modular BIM
Training Programme
www.whitefrog.co

Modular BIM Training: A Beginners Guide To The Business of BIM

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Modular BIM Training

A beginners guide to the business of BIM

©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

OK, so why is the material modular?

Paul Woddy Peter Routledge

White Frog Publishing Ltd.

©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

For many, the move to BIM can be more cultural than it is

01 - 2 ©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

A Beginners Guide to the Business of BIM

So that was the easy bit, but what does it mean?

©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd. 01 - 3

It's not simply a case of applying traditional

The benefits and rewards can be equally

01 - 4 ©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

A Beginners Guide to the Business of BIM

D. BIM methodology can deliver demonstrable efficiency gains internally

A larger version of this diagram

©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd. 01 - 5

In addition to the political drivers, the technological improvement in both

01 - 6 ©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

A Beginners Guide to the Business of BIM

With energy prices expected to rocket in the

Many of these inefficient buildings are owned and

©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd. 01 - 7

The Single Building Model

It raises serious questions regarding the ownership of elements and

01 - 8 ©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

A Beginners Guide to the Business of BIM

Level 1 - Is it CAD or BIM?

This generally occurs when there is a lack of understanding and

©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd. 01 - 9

Level 2 - Siloed BIM

In this diagram we can see that the

Drawings are required for the

01 - 10 ©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

A Beginners Guide to the Business of BIM

Electronic transfer of BIM

Drawings are still

Such meetings would identify clashes and assign resolution of issues.

©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd. 01 - 11

What Dimension are you on?

The above will have a greater or lesser involvement in

01 - 12 ©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

A Beginners Guide to the Business of BIM

LOD 1 LOD 200 The basic form is developed using categorised

©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd. 01 - 13

LOD 4 LOD 400 Objects are either swapped or additional information is

A succession of these types of statement will clarify, without ambiguity, the

01 - 14 ©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

A Beginners Guide to the Business of BIM

This desire to improve can also

©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd. 01 - 15

Standards and Protocols

 AEC(UK) BIM Standard  IFC

01 - 16 ©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

A Beginners Guide to the Business of BIM

In the traditional drawing office, a

©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd. 01 - 17

Protecting embedded intellectual property is a topic that logically

01 - 18 ©2012 White Frog Publishing Ltd.

A Beginners Guide to the Business of BIM

One example of an area that will have to change radically if we are