While Building Information Modelling aka BIM is becoming increasingly ubiquitous for the design phases of the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, it is not used enough in the construction phase. 

A BIM model is ultimately a visual database – a database that can be very useful for the construction phase too. If you are a construction project manager or site engineer and your  project has a BIM model, there is no reason not to use it. It will make your life so much easier. 

Here are 3 things you can do with BIM for the construction phase:

1. Manage orders and logistics

Instead of conducting  a manual quantity takeoff and working out how many cubic meters of concrete you need for next week, use the BIM model to calculate quantities quickly and accurately.

Added bonus: you can see the elements highlighted on the model, making it much easier to work out the logistics of where the materials need to be delivered on site.

2. Communicate with subcontractors

The visual nature of the BIM model makes communication clear. Connect the scheme of work to the model and there is no room for misunderstanding: subcontractors have their project mapped out and all the quantity data prepared.

Furthermore, working with BIM means that managing invoices is easy: simply mark the elements that have been completed and compare them with the subcontractor invoice. Any discrepancies will stand out in an instant.

3. Progress overview

One of the biggest challenges for the construction phase is keeping track of all the changes and making sure that you have an overview of the project and what’s going on when and where.

Using BIM eliminates this problem. If the BIM model is located on the cloud, on a platform such as Autodesk® BIM 360® or Autodesk Construction Cloud®, then any changes made to the design are synchronized. You will instantly see any changes, be able to get an overview of the project at the click of a button and can track the physical construction process.

Sounds great, how do I get started?

Just get your hands on a BIM model that’s saved on AutodeskⓇ BIM 360Ⓡ or Autodesk Construction CloudⓇ platforms!

These days there are many projects that use BIM – you may even find that your current project has a model that you don’t know about.

BIMSearch can help you extract value from any BIM model, even if it’s a design model and you are in the construction phase.

Learn more

To get started with BIMSearch, for free, check out our free trial sign-up guide.