The ever-increasing interest and fascination with Building Information Modelling (BIM) is occupying many people’s time as the industry wrestles with the equation of how much and how quickly to invest and in return for what benefits?
We have seen how Government has been very forthright in expounding the virtues of BIM and the benefits it brings, which for the uninitiated includes improved design coordination and integration, better stakeholder management, construction prototyping and sequencing, ability to derive and manage budget and cost, and the ultimate of course - a rich asset management data set.
 Paul Morrell as Government advisor has been reviewing policy and the impetus behind the Construction Client Group BIM report is part of strategy which seeks to improve public sector procurement in the drive to secure 20% savings. BIM therefore sits alongside a raft of other recommendations which seek to deliver better outcomes in terms of carbon reduction, supplier relationship management, procurement processes and governance.
The Report also focuses on a number of issues that require being further addressed and developed e.g. education and training, legal and insurance, BIM deliverables, data management etc. So, given the brave direction provided by the public sector, the key question has to be - will this be matched by courage and leadership elsewhere in the supply chain? Indications are that if we want a joined up supply chain, enabled by technology, with an increased capability and capacity in offsite construction and more projects delivered to time and budget, it is surely a ‘no brainer’ that we invest now.
Collaboration within and throughout the supply chain and real engagement with academe would clearly indicate to both public and private sector clients that we are ready to ‘step up to the mark’ in securing and determining our own future.
What are the views of our membership? |
