What is Building Information Modelling (BIM)?
BIM or Building Information Modelling is a process for creating and managing information on a construction project across the project lifecycle.
One of the key outputs of this process is the Building Information Model, the digital description of every aspect of the built asset. This model draws on information assembled collaboratively and updated at key stages of a project.
Creating a digital Building Information Model enables those who interact with the building to optimize their actions, resulting in a greater whole life value for the asset.
(source: NBS)
In a perfect world, this represents full collaboration between all disciplines by means of using a single, shared project model which is held in a centralized repository.
All parties can access and modify that same model, and the benefit is that it removes the final layer of risk for conflicting information.
This is known as ‘Open BIM’. Current nervousness in the industry around issues such as copyright and liability are intended to be resolved – the former by means of robust appointment documents and software originator/read/write permissions, and the latter by shared-risk procurement routes such as partnering.
