Challenges of BIM Manager

Build information modelling (BIM) is evolving at a rapid pace as more and more companies begin to adopt and utilise BIM for their projects. From the conceptual stage, through to design, implementation and the entire project lifecycle, BIM facilitates better decision making. The new BIM concept guarantees faster project building, improved communication and better problem solving, all whilst being more cost effective than the earlier versions.

When BIM was introduced in the architectural world, it was challenging for the companies to incorporate BIM due to unskilled professionals, who had little or no experience to work on BIM. As it gained popularity and with increasing number of companies realising its worth, the demand for having a BIM manager superseded all other requirements. Prime prospect of a BIM manager is understanding how and when to apply different BIM workflows in projects.

Few years back the construction industry witnessed an evolution of CAD Managers becoming BIM Managers, a transition which was necessary for advancement of BIM processes. The fundamental role of a BIM Manager remained similar to that of a CAD Manager – ensuring timely delivery of the projects without exceeding the budget constraints. But it was the core responsibilities that were more importantly redefined which included maintaining coordination of modelling work, maintaining the integrity within the project and reporting and managing the BIM process. However, a BIM Manager’s role was not limited to such tasks; it had to cover larger avenues than just managing the BIM related tools and software. The role demanded them to be more versatile and quick thinkers so as to adapt to the ever changing work environment. They had to ensure seamless coordination with the companies who do not utilise BIM at the same time maintain integrity of the models used in the project.

What helped BIM Managers to flourish was the acceptance of BIM as an industry standard over the world with governments beginning to mandate BIM in their projects resulting in BIM becoming a pre-requisite for major tenders. Industry professionals soon realised the ability of BIM was to significantly reduce cost and increase the over-all quality of the work. But the BIM Manager’s role demands quick learning because of the ever evolving construction and architecture industry especially in the past decade. Listed below are three prime challenges faced by BIM Managers:

1. People Management – 

The digital 3D BIM model facility requires specially trained personnel as the processes change constantly and therefore the contracts need to be updated accordingly. The role of a BIM Manager had to grow parallel to such an evolution of construction industry and with the acceptance of BIM. The BIM manager’s role is that of a multipurpose one in the construction industry at present. In BIM-supported construction projects the BIM Manager’s role is responsible for defining the roles and responsibilities, imparting knowledge, instilling trust amongst the team members and facilitating and fostering effective, supportive team culture.

2. Defining Policies - 

The BIM Managers must define clear technical policies which would form the base for the model development and exchange. A BIM Manager must be able to lay down clear policies on the project guidelines and contracts, the building standards of the respective region, the responsibility of deliverables and intellectual properties and risk and insurance implication during the duration of the project.

3. Technological Outlook – 

The fast and ever evolving construction industry demands new technologies to be imparted into the processes to keep pace with the competition or to overtake it. A BIM Manager must define an appropriate and cost effective hardware and software set up for utmost utilisation of 3D models, which would further enhance the data exchange, data storage and overall data management. A BIM Manager must also take charge of certification of suitable hardware and software, defining data structures and user specific workspaces and most importantly ensure uninterrupted high speed internet connectivity.

A BIM Manager’s role and challenges are not limited to the above specified ones but traverse the vast boundaries of the entire BIM process. There is no specific course that can train an individual to become a BIM manager, but there are a few leading training centers that provide online Revit training and AutoCAD courses in Mumbai, which can lead individuals to gain professional knowledge on BIM which can assist them in becoming successful BIM Managers.

Top 6 must have skills to survive in AEC industry

The AEC industry is fast evolving and has seen a phenomenal rise in the past decade. The economic uprise, new technologies, demand for better results and work force challenges are few of the factors that have led to the rise to these changes. However, in spite of this evolution, industry organisations are trying to find ways to improve the efficiency in the AEC processes and technology which will lead to increased profit margins enabling them to provide cost effective solutions to their clients.

All these factors present a promising future for the AEC industry and the related organisations and can guarantee that the competition will be fierce. To stay updated with the latest trends and developments of the industry, it is essential for individuals who work in the AEC industry to continue to learn and develop their skill sets. There are many institutes that provide online CAD training for working professionals, with updated courses that teach them the latest essential skills that are required. There are also many other skills that individuals working in the AEC industry must possess and learn in order to survive in the industry. 

Let us discuss 6 such skills necessary to survive in the AEC industry –

1. Design Mindset: Having a design mindset does not only mean you must have the ability to design but you must also be able to understand the proposed designs. Across all the platforms in the AEC industry, professionals come across various design drawings which require acute understanding and diligent work to suggest any alterations. 

2. Adaptive and Analytical Thinking: AEC industry is an industry which requires professionals to have certain skills along with vast technical knowledge so that it enables them to come up with unique and quick solutions for the expected or unexpected situations encountered during the project activities. They have access to all the latest technology, but it is their own analytical thinking powers that will provide them with the ability to come up with unique solutions.

3. Region Specific Knowledge: Across the globe, various countries have mandated laws for the AEC industry which are specific to their regions. This is one of the most important skills required for an individual working in the AEC industry, to have knowledge about these laws applicable to respective counties, which enables them to design the projects abiding the law.

4. Transdisciplinary: The AEC industry is vast one in itself, but it does help immensely if an individual working in this industry possesses knowledge or is at least familiar with interrelated disciplines along with having insightful understanding in the field that they are aligned towards. 

5. Cross Cultural Competency: The current AEC industry is an evolved one and the operations of companies are more often than not spread across the globe, which is companies doing business in various countries. In such a scenario, it is valuable to be able to work with people with different linguistics from various cultures, who possess a variety of skills and different working styles.

6. Computational Thinking: Any industry in this age has to deal with a large amount of data, the AEC industry is not an exemption to this rule. With increased data, it is necessary to have the ability to manage and make decisions based on the vast amount of information provided. Individuals who have good decision making abilities when it comes to data management, hold an edge in the AEC industry, as it is definitely a bonus.

Although there are various other skills that one must possess to survive in the AEC industry, these are few of the key ones. Individuals can learn on the job and with experience, their abilities are enhanced. However, to learn new technologies the best solution is by learning from an institute which specialise in teaching courses related to the AEC industry. Especially for working professionals. There are various Autodesk Revit Online Training Courses that are available through leading training institutes, that are time saving as the courses can be learned online.