Just Ask!

Transitioning to a BIM solution is a big step. It is far too important of a decision to make without knowing as much as you possibly can.

Revit is intuitive and fairly easy to learn but with today's fast paced project schedules many people don't have the time to learn by trial and error. Time lost by trying to "figure this stuff out" is a pain in the wallet and can lead to a wrong idea of what BIM is really all about. (See Mike's rant below about falling back to AutoCAD)

There are lots of resources out there and many people willing to share their experiences and lessons learned.

Don't be afraid to ask!

Are you really BIM ready?

Requirements for BIM deliverables are becoming more prevalent in RFP’s for building design and construction services. Are you and the rest of the project team prepared to satisfy these requirements?

Do not fool yourself or others; buying a box of BIM software does NOT make you BIM ready. Preparedness to satisfy the BIM deliverable requirements entails an understanding of the Integrated Project Delivery process. It requires all project team members (designers, constructors, owners and other key players) to embrace the nine principles of IPD. Otherwise, it will be difficult to fulfill the requirements for a BIM deliverable let alone achieve the benefits of an IPD approach.

There are many issues to consider and you should not attempt this process alone if you are new to it. You should bring a BIM subject matter expert on board your team to help you be successful in the process.

You can download the AIA Integrated Project Delivery Guide from http://www.aia.org/ipdg. In this document you will find the nine IPD principles along with a wealth of information to guide you along the IPD path.