Advances in technology have impacted virtually every sphere of life. The scenario in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) fraternity is no different where BIM is slowly but surely all set to replace CAD as the preferred medium for planning and modeling AEC projects, transforming the future of buildings, design and construction.
BIM is a critical stepping stone moving AEC toward an exciting technological development. The beauty is that specific constraints and objectives such as daylight, thermal performance and structural integrity, are taken into consideration by computer software algorithms to leverage BIM and help architects in generating computational or parametric building designs.
With the automation of design optimization, computers are now capable of sorting through thousands of possible design permutations and can handpick the top designs which comprehend construction project requirements. It is not a far fetched possibility that quite soon computers will design things more effectively and efficiently than humans.
TreisTek believes that if we have to venture into the next generation of construction, the approach should be focused on the 3 ‘Ps’ of BIM; process, progress and people.
The first ‘P’ for TreisTek is Process
The business processes are the internal activities that underlie the value creating process. It includes all the activities involved to transform the work flows such as input and output data transfer, designing/modeling, customer service, etc.
TreisTek optimizes the existing process through better data gathering, data analysis, and the use of automated process control. Implementing BIM has not posed a great challenge to TreisTek as we follow new technology with new processes. We always upgrade ourselves with respect to the technology and accordingly, the processes to implement the new technology are defined.
BIM is meant for increased speed and efficiency. But too many processes create a lot of data waste across the life-cycle of construction projects. Hence, we use better and effective ways like Excel-to-Revit tool named Dynamo which creates spaces from Excel in Revit automatically instead of following the old technique.
TreisTek has a dedicated team of experts to create BIM families and contents for architecture, MEP and Structure. We create accurate, efficient BIM family which can be used by a particular system and standard family which can be created and used by several users.
In addition to this, TreisTek has adopted BIM 360 design which helps our project teams to reduce the time and cost associated with managing RFIs and submittal, acts as a single point of truth, allows us to co-author shared Revit models and coordinate and manage deliverables throughout the project life-cycle.
It improves construction project delivery by supporting informed decision making throughout the project life-cycle – from design collaboration, documentation and reviews, to pre-construction through quality, safety and operations. BIM 360 connects our people, data and work-flows of the project.
The second ‘P’ for TreisTek is Progress
Using effective and upgraded processes has assisted TreisTek to progress hugely. We measure our progress based on four attributes – visibility, quality, value, time and cost certainty through BIM.
BIM is helping us by delivering the powerful visualizations from a blend of program plan data, as-built progress information and even “what if” scenarios are explained during project decisions which enhances client confidence and communication. It also improves our ability to see information clearly and consistently across multiple projects which further helps us to deliver a far better appreciation of overall progress, cash flow factors, risk and enables us to work more efficiently.
BIM always helps us to deliver the projects on time. The technicalities of BIM assist us in integrating the right expert perspectives, avoid all foreseeable delays, maintaining amazing lines of client communication and effective program management based on accurate and timely captured data through BIM-capable project management systems.
The third ‘P’ for TreisTek is People
The “people” aspect plays a vital role in implementing BIM as managing this aspect is the most challenging task. Change is the only thing that is constant. If we must adopt BIM successfully, it is important that our entire team understands its importance and is willing to accept the change. Change maybe cultural or technical.
TreisTek believes that technological change can be initiated by building strong in-person relationships with professionals, in-house teams or a design support solutions provider. But cultural change happens off-line. Even though we have all the best practices, guidelines, white-papers and documents, if we don’t have a dedicated, passionate team which is connected culturally, it’s hard to adopt a change.
The BIM technology keeps changing. So, we adapt and evolve with the new technology and consider this as an opportunity to provide better service rather than looking at it as a threat. We embrace new technology and take initiative to learn it on a regular basis.
BIM – The Future
The future with BIM is promising as it is cost effective, safer, efficient, more responsive to end users and allows for responsive building designs for the whole life-cycle of a building.
Also, it is going to introduce new jobs and create new specialties. Engineers are going to become computational designer and not just a designer. They are going to be the generative-design expert and not the ones who create static models. Future is not just about a job. It is about learning, recreating oneself and being innovative.