Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
Successful BIMImplementation
Transitioningfrom 2D CAD to
3D Building Information Modeling
by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIAFounder and CEO,Digital Vision, Irvine, CA
John Stebbins’ Experience
Founded Digital Vision in 1988 19 years with model-based CAD/BIM
solutions Assisted 600 + firms in So. CA & AZ
transition to model-based CAD/BIM
Core Concepts
What is BIM BIM in not software, but a process.
BIM is a Business decision Transitioning is a Management decision
Q: What is the only thing ever wrong with a business? A: Who is running it.
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
Big BIM, Little BIM
Big BIM: All the scary things you hear about at all the conferences and trade
journals
Little BIM: For more coordinated, accurate and faster CD’s
Recommendations: Go for Little BIM right now to produce faster/accurate CD’s Then, transition to model coordination/collision detection Big BIM will follow in due course
Who Leads the Change?
Techies are not the right people, nor are the CAD Managers Someone has to see the vision, who also understands “the business”
of architecture, a pragmatist This “change champion” is the catalyst whose passion, hard work
and expertise enables the rest of the team to succeed
Requires aChampion
Deciding Vote
Pragmatic Adapters
Keys to Success
Commitment You won’t get there if you’re just playing around
Planning You can’t get there if you don’t know where to go
Invest sufficient resources Half the effort gets almost none of the results
Get buy-in from all levels Don’t let a nay-sayer get the final say
Get enough help Ask for directions – from experts
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
Transitioning Roadmap
Commitment from principals is essential Choose a “Change Champion” Develop an Implementation Plan Select a Pilot Project and initial team Hire a BIM consultant (Embedded Expert) Setup initial Formal Training Change vocabulary, change perception Evaluate Implementation Plan Create a BIM Manual Repeat above process on remaining project teams Start all new projects using the BIM process Develop ongoing training program to your sharpen skills
Transitioning Steps
Be a Change Leader Innovate and lead by thoughtful implementation of the BIM
process Transitioning to BIM is an upper-level business and
management decision Invest time, money and develop a process change Make the move to BIM in a logical and scalable way Establish momentum to minimize back-sliding
When things get tough, remember… “When you’re going through hell, keep on going”
Winston Churchill
Transitioning Steps
Develop anImplementation Plan Evaluate your staff’s skills
and knowledge Set measurable milestones Transitioning the first project
team Transitioning the rest of the
office
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
Transitioning Steps
Select one or two Pilot Projects Not too big, not too small Something typical for your firm Pick a project that will benefit from 3D Ideally: parallel pilot projects to evaluate multiple
vendors & do benchmarks and comparisons
Transitioning Steps
Running a Pilot Project Carry the BIM process to the end of Construction
Documents, not just initial design Take advantage of Project Assistance (Embedded
Experts) from Value Added Resellers (VARs) Experiment and play to Learn what works Evaluate!
Transitioning Steps
Change Vocabulary, Change Perception Draftsman to Designers or Annotators CAD Operator to Designer/Architect CAD Manager to BIM Manager CAD File to BIM Project File Production Staff to Project Team Seat to license Station to Virtual Office CAD to BIM or Virtual Building
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
Transitioning Steps
GOOD Training is Essential Self-study is possible but risky
Establish a realistic budget and timetable for training This investment is not something to shortchange
Previous 2D CAD skills are useful, 3D is better
Train from the known to the unknown---cross training
Encourage and reward staff for positive advancements
Attend user groups in your area start in-housegroups/Transition Clubs
Transitioning Steps
Ongoing Training to maintain momentum User Groups or Lunch and Learns
New BIM user training process Workbooks and mentoring
On-line training LearnVirtual (learnvirtual.com)
Training from your local BIM VAR
How Much Training is Enough?
BIM Training Classes & Support Three or four days of general training
Two days to get started One or two more once those are digested General skills, can be tailored to firm/discipline Apply it immediately to a project
Regular follow-up sessions duringfirst project(s) On-site, by phone or web-based Evaluation by management and
outside consultants
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
Consider an “Embedded Expert”
Contract with a BIM expert consultant Ask your BIM vendor/VAR if they can embed an
expert in your firm Do some general training, then start on a project Embedded Expert works in your office 1-2 days per
week Assistance on real projects The project pays for the training-pass through costs
Adapting Office Standards
Reuse what makes sense Integrate graphic symbols, conventions, title blocks Line weight systems can usually be carried over CAD layers need to be only slightly reworked
Create startup file templates Filing systems will be more efficient
One/few BIM file(s) vs. many separate 2D drawings System needs to be created and maintained
Adapting Office Standards
Develop key components as “kits of parts” Legends and schedules
Some changes are inevitable Avoid trying too hard to mimic the old style Allow the CD’s to improve with new options such as
isometrics or 3D cutaways and shaded elevations.
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
Adapting Office Standards
Use transitioning as an opportunity to getorganized and clean house Take this time to re-invent your firm
Transitioning Steps
Create a BIM Manual Document BIM procedures like you would a CAD Manual Create a Template (start-up document) to formalize/embed
office standards and encourage efficiency Use the Manual and Template as the basis for training all
new employees
Can You Do BIM Part-way?
To get the most benefit from BIM: NO As a transition/resource management/
deadline strategy: YES You can “Cut and Run” to 2-D DWG:
The best time is after Design Development (saveplans sections and elevations as DWG and import)
Detail drawings can be done in traditional ways. Use only as a stop-gap measure and safety net
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
Evaluating the Pilot
What were the results of your BIM experience? Did you get the software to do what you wanted? Did the software get in your way? Did you get the help you needed? Did you meet your deadlines?
Did your work process change? Did the process make you more efficient? Were there some unexpected benefits?
Evaluate as you go along Plan what to do differently next time
The Medium-sized Firm
Start with one team, don’t jump in firm-wide Two to five people per team is ideal, more can be added later Each team works on one project, and commits to finishing it in BIM Pick high quality people with positive attitudes and complementary
skills Pick initial projects that are typical for the firm, with
moderate timelines Aim to achieve specific BIM objectives
Pick one or two of the following additional tasks: Client presentations: renderings and animation Conflict detection/model coordination with consultants-NavisWorks Quantity/costing and value-engineering with the GC … rather than trying for all possible BIM benefits right away
The Medium-sized Firm
Insulate the Project Team – Skunkworks Shield them from too much scrutiny Develop a strong team bond
Give incentives for the extra effort andextra hours to learn the new skills
Certify and reward for competence Testing by VAR or in-house
Develop an in-house Transition Club orUser Group
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
The Medium-sized Firm
Focus on one market areaand make it work Hospitality Science labs & health care Multi-family residential, etc. … before deploying in other areas
Don’t spread your resources too thin Otherwise you may need to “cut and run” from BIM to 2D
CAD
Can the Principals do BIM?
In the smaller office, they usually do Beware of the “brain drain”-investing too much knowledge
in one person that could leave…leaving you high and dry
In larger, more hierarchical firms, there aredifferent ways to participate Evaluating and walking through the model, cutting
interactive sections Redlining the BIM project Working with simple massing tools to design Concepts created in SketchUp can be imported Sometimes they can’t resist, and jump in
BIM on Large Projects
Software choice can be critical Flexibility in organization (software and staffing) is
necessary Multiple model and documentation files may need to
be maintained and linked together New roles: Model Manager, Documentation Manager
Level of detail needs to be managed throughout theprocess Different phases need different levels (site planning, 3-D detailing) Object components (e.g. windows, stairs, trees) may need to be
scale sensitive or distance sensitive Polygons count – set the resolution appropriately, model wisely
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
BIM on Large Projects
Collaboration tools need to allow team size tovary throughout the workflow
DWG and IFC interchange with consultants
BIM on huge projects IS possible with the righttools and approaches
What to Expect
Excitement about BIM Working through design concepts in 3D Information can be extracted in the form of schedules and
lists Collision detection Always up-to-date Elevations and Sections Renderings, Perspectives and Animations ready when you
are
What to Expect
Resistance to Change Office politics Nay-sayers and negative people Knowledge “gate keepers” and the IT “priesthood” Re-train the office for the BIM process change Will Senior staff get pushed out of the design
process? Can we meet our deadlines?
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
What to Expect
New Roles and Responsibilities Junior staff will learn more about building technology earlier
in their career through mentoring Senior staff needs to guide junior staff on when and how to
model building elements Renderings and animations will become quick, accurate
and effective communication tools Project Managers will adjust their perception of how long it
will take to complete certain tasks A thoughtful DD set will greatly inform a CD set Send the BIM model out to a 3D printer/rapid prototyping
What to Expect
New Billable Services Resell the model data for PR animation or
marketing Model coordination and collision detection Facilities management
What to Expect
Pressures from all sides Software Vendors Owners (GSA) Environment (LEED, CA regulations, AIA
Challenge 2030) Competition Consultants General Contractors and Construction Managers
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
What to Expect
Integrated Practice - ultimate extension of BIM The work process evolves as information is shared rather than
isolated – new possibilities emerge Model coordination/clash detection with minimal delays as
design iterations are sent back and forth to engineers,mechanical and other consultants-take on this roll or otherswill
Estimating and construction scheduling can be worked andrevised concurrently with the BIM model-work with yourbuilder
Ultimately better design and better value, on time and onbudget, with less change orders.
What to Expect
What will this change?… “BIM changes everything.” Michael Hricak, FAIA, past president
AIA CC
Where to Go From Here
Evaluate your software alternatives Interview VARs to see how well they will be able to
help you transition to BIM Choose a pilot project and a project team Budget for software and training and make a
commitment Test the software at all phases (SD though CD) Encourage new leadership roles Produce a BIM Manual Enjoy the process!
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
Case Study-Irwin Pancake Architects,Costa Mesa, CA
Senior housing market focus 15 to 45 people in 1 1/2 years, while transitioning to BIM 100% commitment of principals Digital Vision southern CA champion users They are now ‘All BIM all of the time”
irwin-pancake.com
Case Study-Irwin Pancake Architects,Costa Mesa, CA
Case Study-Irwin Pancake Architects,Costa Mesa, CA
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
Case Study-Irwin Pancake Architects,Costa Mesa, CA
Case Study-Irwin Pancake Architects,Costa Mesa, CA
Irwin-Pancake Change Champion: Chuck Good-Man, AIA
Case Study-Irwin Pancake Architects,Costa Mesa, CA
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
Case Study-Irwin Pancake Architects,Costa Mesa, CA
Case Study-Irwin Pancake Architects,Costa Mesa, CA
Case Study-Irwin Pancake Architects,Costa Mesa, CA
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
Case Study-Irwin Pancake Architects,Costa Mesa, CA
Irwin Pancake sponsorsregular User Groups andLunch & Learns
Case Study-Irwin Pancake Architects,Costa Mesa, CA
Beginning Formal Training
Three to four days toget initial pilot projectteam up and running
Once momentum isestablished, eachsuccessive projectteam requires lessand less formal training
Case Study-Irwin Pancake Architects,Costa Mesa, CA
How long does it take for new users to become proficient?
Answer: 3-4 days…after having completed the assignment of working thorough the ArchiCAD 11 Step-by-Step workbook and CD for 2 days and 1-2 days of getting started mentoring.
According to Chuck Good-Man, AIA, Director of Architecture, Irwin-Pancake Architects
Assumptions:1. The trainee has little or no computer phobia;2. The trainee has some previous 2D CAD experience (and most have);3. The trainee works exclusively in ArchiCAD;4. The trainee sits relatively close to a proficient ArchiCAD user to ask questions;5. The trainee is not cynical and does not fight the "system" (I-P weeds these people
out during the interview).
irwin-pancake.com
Successful BIM ImplementationTransitioning from 2D CAD to 3D BIM
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Presented by John Stebbins, Assoc. AIA, Digital Vision Automation
digitalvis.com714-612-4547